Trey Aubrey Lance Bio
Trey Aubrey Lance is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League. Born on May 9, 2000, in Marshall, Minnesota, he played college football at North Dakota State, winning national championships and individual awards for his extraordinary performance. Drafted third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lance navigated early NFL challenges involving injuries and limited playing time before moving through the Dallas Cowboys organization. After gaining experience as a backup, Lance signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 and re-signed in 2026 on a one-year contract, positioning himself to compete for playing time.
Lance stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 226 pounds, giving him the prototypical size for a National Football League quarterback. His 2019 college season produced statistical results that attracted significant NFL attention, including a record-setting completion-to-interception ratio that demonstrated his decision-making ability. Lance maintains an active Evangelical Christian faith and has been involved with Christian athletic organizations since his high school years.
Early Life and Background
Trey Aubrey Lance was born on May 9, 2000, in Marshall, Minnesota, where he was raised primarily by 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 Lance served as his son’s primary football trainer and mentor, shaping his development from a young age. Lance played running back in youth football and first took snaps at quarterback in middle school before transitioning permanently to the position.
Lance attended Marshall High School, where he emerged as the top quarterback prospect in the entire state of Minnesota. He initially intended to commit to the University of Minnesota after attending a recruiting event in February 2017, but the school and other Power Five programs viewed him primarily as a wide receiver or defensive back prospect rather than a quarterback. Disappointed by that evaluation, Lance committed to North Dakota State in December 2017, setting his college career on a path that would eventually lead to the National Football League.
Path to American Football
At North Dakota State, Lance was redshirted during the 2018 season but appeared in two games, recording two rushing touchdowns. Named the Bison starter in 2019, he immediately transformed the program into a national powerhouse by leading North Dakota State to the NCAA Division I Football Championship. Lance completed 192 of 287 passes for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns without throwing a single interception, an NCAA record for most passing attempts in a season without an interception, while also rushing for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
For his 2019 performance, Lance won the Walter Payton Award as the most outstanding offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision and the Jerry Rice Award as the FCS best freshman. He also earned the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year honor and First-team All-MVFC recognition. Lance was named the MVP of the 2020 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game after leading North Dakota State to a 28-20 victory. He opted out of the 2020 college season to prepare for the NFL Draft after appearing in only one game.
Trey Aubrey Lance Career
Early Career (2021)
The San Francisco 49ers traded three first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in order to move up to the third overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, choosing Lance ahead of other highly rated quarterback prospects. The selection made Lance the highest-drafted FCS quarterback since fellow North Dakota State alumnus Carson Wentz in 2016, and the first quarterback taken in the first round by the 49ers since Alex Smith in 2005. Lance signed his 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 against the Detroit Lions, throwing a five-yard touchdown pass to Trent Sherfield on his first career snap as the 49ers won 41-33 on the road. He scored a rushing touchdown two weeks later against the Green Bay Packers and earned his first career start in Week 5 after Garoppolo suffered a sprained knee. Lance completed 15 of 29 passes for 192 yards and an interception while rushing 16 times for 89 yards in a 17-10 road loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but a sprained knee of his own sidelined him the following week. He returned as a backup for the remainder of the season before earning his second start and first career win in Week 17 against the Houston Texans, throwing for 249 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-7 victory.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2021-2022)
Lance entered the 2022 season as the 49ers starter after Garoppolo departed, but the year was derailed by a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery during Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. His only full game of the 2022 season was the season opener against the Chicago Bears, where he completed 13 of 28 passes for 164 yards and an interception in a 19-10 road loss. After the season, Lance revealed that he had been battling a right index finger injury throughout 2021 that he had sustained during a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Limited to just six NFL games across two seasons with the 49ers, Lance became expendable following the emergence of second-year quarterback Brock Purdy, who had led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game in the 2022 season.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2023-2024)
The 49ers traded Lance to the Dallas Cowboys on August 26, 2023, in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick that the 49ers used to select Malik Mustapha. Lance was named the third-string quarterback in Dallas and did not appear in a regular-season game during the 2023 season. He worked heavily in the 2023 preseason, completing 22 of 33 passes for 285 yards with two touchdowns and one interception across two games against the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos.
The Cowboys declined the fifth-year option on Lance contract on May 1, 2024, making him a free agent following the 2024 season. When starting quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending injury in Week 9, Lance was elevated to the backup role behind Cooper Rush. He made his Cowboys regular-season debut the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles, completing four of six passes for 21 yards while also taking a sack and throwing an interception. Lance started the season finale against the Washington Commanders, throwing for 244 yards in a 23-19 road loss.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025-Present)
Lance signed a one-year contract worth $2 million with the Los Angeles Chargers on April 4, 2025, with $1.5 million guaranteed. He served as the primary backup to Justin Herbert throughout the 2025 regular season. Lance received his first start with the Chargers in the season finale against the Denver Broncos while Herbert rested in preparation for the playoffs. He completed 20 of 44 passes for 134 yards and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Ja’Quan McMillian in a 19-3 road loss, though he did lead the Chargers in rushing yards with 69 on the ground.
On March 14, 2026, Lance re-signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year contract worth $6.75 million, reflecting the organization confidence in his development and potential. The re-signing came after he showed flashes of dual-threat capability in his lone Chargers start, combining passing production with effective rushing plays. Lance enters 2026 as a competitive backup with the experience of multiple organizations and the opportunity to vie for greater responsibility in the Chargers quarterback room.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lance prototypical 6-foot-4, 226-pound frame and dual-threat capabilities make him one of the more physically imposing quarterback prospects in recent draft history. His 2019 college season demonstrated exceptional pocket mobility and rushing production, with 1,100 rushing yards complementing nearly 2,800 passing yards. Lance possesses a strong arm and the ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and his decision-making was evident in his record-setting zero-interception college season. He has played under various offensive systems with multiple organizations, developing experience in both pro-style and modern spread concepts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lance won the 2020 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game MVP award after leading North Dakota State to a 28-20 national title victory. His Week 17 start against the Houston Texans in 2021 produced his first career NFL win, with 249 passing yards and two touchdowns. Lance became one of the most highly drafted FCS quarterbacks in NFL history when the San Francisco 49ers selected him third overall in the 2021 draft.
Trey Aubrey Lance Career Wins
Trey Aubrey Lance has recorded career victories at both the college and professional levels, with his most significant wins occurring during his time at North Dakota State and in limited opportunities across three NFL organizations. His college career featured two FCS national championships, while his professional wins include regular-season victories in both the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers systems.
College Career Highlights
Lance led North Dakota State to NCAA Division I Football Championships in both 2018 and 2019, though his individual statistical production during those seasons varied. His 2019 season as a redshirt freshman established the statistical foundation for his NFL draft selection, highlighted by 13 total touchdowns in a single game performance that captured national attention. The 2020 championship game MVP award capped a college career defined by excellence at the Football Championship Subdivision level.
Professional Career Highlights
Lance has appeared in games for the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Chargers, with his most substantial playing time coming during his 2021 rookie season. He earned his first career NFL victory in a Week 17 start against the Houston Texans while playing for the 49ers. His professional opportunities expanded during stints in Dallas and Los Angeles, though most of his NFL action has come in relief or limited packages.
Trey Aubrey Lance Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Lance father, Carlton Lance, played professional football as a cornerback with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League and the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football. Carlton Lance served as Trey Lance primary football trainer and mentor from a young age, providing the foundational coaching that shaped his son development into a top quarterback prospect. Lance younger brother, Bryce, also played quarterback at North Dakota State and currently plays wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, continuing the family football legacy at the highest levels of the sport.
Personal Life
Trey Aubrey Lance is an Evangelical Christian and served as a leader of his local Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter during his time at Marshall High School. He has spoken openly about his faith and its role in shaping his approach to football and life. No other publicly verified personal life details, including marital status, spouse, or children, are currently available from reliable sources.
2025 Season Performance
Lance spent the 2025 season as the primary backup quarterback to Justin Herbert with the Los Angeles Chargers, competing for the second-string role and preparing for potential opportunities in practice and preseason action. After signing a one-year contract in April 2025, he joined a Chargers organization focused on building depth behind Herbert and developing contingency plans at the quarterback position.
Lance started the 2025 regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos after the Chargers rested Herbert in preparation for the postseason. He completed 20 of 44 passes for 134 yards and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown in a 19-3 road loss. Despite the passing struggles, Lance led the Chargers in rushing yards with 69 on the ground, demonstrating the dual-threat capability that made him a high draft selection. His re-signing with the Chargers on a one-year $6.75 million contract in March 2026 indicates the organization sees continued development potential in his game.