Trey Lance Bio
Trey Aubrey Lance, born on May 9, 2000, in Marshall, Minnesota, is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He rose to national attention as a record-setting freshman at North Dakota State, where he led the Bison to an NCAA Division I national championship and earned top awards at the FCS level. Selected third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lance transitioned through multiple teams as he worked to establish himself as a long-term NFL starter.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 224 pounds, Lance combines a powerful running frame with a strong arm. His professional journey has included stops in San Francisco, Dallas, and Los Angeles, with each move offering a new chapter of development.
Early Life and Background
Trey Aubrey Lance was born on May 9, 2000, in Marshall, Minnesota, a small city in the southwestern corner of the state. He was raised with strong athletic influences, most notably his father, Carlton Lance, a former cornerback who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League and the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football. Carlton became Trey’s primary trainer during his formative years, shaping his understanding of professional-level preparation and competitive discipline.
Growing up, Lance played running back in youth football before first taking snaps at quarterback in middle school. He attended Marshall Senior High School, where evaluators considered him the top quarterback prospect in Minnesota. Several Power Five programs, including the University of Minnesota, viewed him primarily as a wide receiver or defensive back rather than a college quarterback, which limited his major scholarship options. In December 2017, Lance committed to North Dakota State, an FCS program with a proven track record of developing professional talent.
Path to American Football
North Dakota State offered Lance the opportunity to play quarterback at a championship-caliber program, and he quickly embraced the role. After redshirting during the 2018 season and appearing briefly in two games, he earned the starting job in 2019. That season, he led the Bison to the 2020 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after a 28–20 victory.
Lance’s 2019 statistics placed him among the most decorated freshmen in FCS history. He completed 192 of 287 passes for 2,786 yards, 28 touchdowns, and no interceptions, setting an NCAA record for most passing attempts in a season without an interception. He also rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns, demonstrating the dual-threat ability that made him a top professional prospect. For his performance, he received the Walter Payton Award as the most outstanding offensive player in the FCS and the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman.
The 2020 season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Lance played in only one game, against Central Arkansas, throwing two touchdowns, rushing for two more, and throwing the only interception of his college career. Shortly afterward, he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Trey Lance Career
San Francisco 49ers Era (2021–2022)
The San Francisco 49ers traded up to select Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted FCS quarterback since Carson Wentz and the franchise’s first first-round quarterback since Alex Smith in 2005. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $34.1 million on July 28, 2021, and began the season as the backup to incumbent starter Jimmy Garoppolo.
Lance made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2021 season against the Detroit Lions, completing a five-yard touchdown pass on his first play. He went on to start two games that year, earning his first career win in Week 17 against the Houston Texans with 249 passing yards and two touchdowns. A preseason right index finger injury hampered him throughout the season. In 2022, Lance was named the starter but started only two games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. The injury required a second surgery to remove irritating hardware.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2023–2024)
On August 26, 2023, Lance was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2024 fourth-round pick, later used on safety Malik Mustapha. He entered the 2023 season as the third-string quarterback and was a healthy scratch for every regular-season game. In May 2024, the Cowboys declined the fifth-year option on his contract, making him a free agent after that season.
During the 2024 preseason, Lance received extended playing time in place of Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. In a 26–19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, he completed 33 of 49 passes for 323 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted five times. After Prescott suffered a season-ending injury in Week 9, Lance was elevated to the backup role behind Rush. He made his Cowboys regular-season debut the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles, replacing an ineffective Rush in the fourth quarter. Lance started the season finale against the Washington Commanders, finishing with 244 passing yards in a 23–19 loss.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025–Present)
On April 4, 2025, Lance signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers worth up to $6.2 million, including $2 million guaranteed. The move gave him an opportunity to compete for a meaningful role within a new offensive system. With the Chargers, Lance joined a quarterback room led by an established veteran and aimed to demonstrate the consistency that injuries and limited opportunities had previously restricted in his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Lance’s defining professional moments is his first career NFL win against the Houston Texans in Week 17 of the 2021 season, a performance that hinted at his dual-threat potential. He also set an NCAA record during the 2019 FCS season by completing 192 passes without an interception, a mark that underscored his accuracy and decision-making as a young passer. His selection as the third overall pick in 2021 marked him as one of the highest-drafted FCS players in league history.
Trey Lance Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Lance has accumulated a small but meaningful number of wins, with the majority coming during his limited starting opportunities in San Francisco and Dallas. His lone regular-season victory as a starter came with the 49ers in Week 17 of 2021, while his remaining appearances have primarily been as a relief or short-term starter.
NFL Highlights
Lance’s first NFL win came against the Houston Texans in Week 17 of 2021, a 23–7 victory in which he threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He later started the Dallas Cowboys’ season finale against the Washington Commanders in 2024, finishing with 244 passing yards in a 23–19 loss. Across his time with the 49ers, Cowboys, and Chargers, Lance has been used primarily in spot-start and relief roles while continuing to develop his professional foundation.
Trey Lance Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Lance was raised in Marshall, Minnesota, by his father, Carlton Lance, whose professional football experience in the Canadian Football League and the World League of American Football heavily shaped Trey’s training. Carlton served as Trey’s primary coach during his youth, providing technical instruction and an insider’s perspective on the demands of professional play. His younger brother, Bryce, plays wide receiver at North Dakota State, continuing the family’s connection to the Bison program.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Lance is known as an Evangelical Christian and was an active leader in his high school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. He maintains a personal presence on social media and continues to be involved in faith-based community activities.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Lance joined the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year deal that signaled a fresh opportunity to compete for meaningful snaps. The Chargers’ offensive scheme, led by head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, has historically featured strong quarterback run-game concepts, which align with Lance’s dual-threat skill set. His development during the preseason and early-season practices will be a focal point for both the team and Lance’s long-term career outlook.
As the season progresses, Lance’s role within the Chargers’ quarterback room will likely be shaped by his performance in practice and his ability to stay healthy after multiple season-ending injuries early in his career. A productive 2025 campaign could position him as a viable starter candidate for the 2026 offseason, while continued refinement of his passing accuracy and pre-snap decision-making remains essential to his growth as an NFL quarterback.