Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday that Justin Herbert will not play in the Chargers regular-season finale in Denver as Trey Lance will get the start.
"Does a lot well, especially playing the game," Harbaugh said of Lance. "He prepares extremely well, executes well, can throw outside the numbers, can throw with touch, can throw with accuracy.
"Has a presence out there and can use his legs. His athleticism, his intelligence, it's all good," Harbaugh added. "I just think he needs the opportunity to play and start and go out and show what he can do."
Here are five things to know about Lance:
1. Stepping in with the Bolts
Week 18 will be Lance's first start in the powder blue, but he has stepped in at different points this season.
The quarterback has appeared in three games, including in a big spot during the Bolts Week 13 win over the Raiders.
After Herbert went to the locker room with a left hand injury, Lance was thrust into action against Las Vegas and played eight snaps while the Chargers starting quarterback was away.
He took over late in the first quarter when the Bolts began at their own 7-yard line, completing his only pass attempt to wide receiver Tre' Harris for a nine-yard gain on his second play.
2. Recent NFL experience
The 25-year-old quarterback joined the Bolts this offseason after a pair of seasons in Dallas.
Lance was a member of the Cowboys after being acquired in a trade prior to the 2023 regular season, serving in a reserve role for most of his time there.
The quarterback has appeared in 15 total games and started five of them, the most recent coming in the Cowboys' regular season finale last season.
Lance has totaled 1,153 passing yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions to go along with 292 rushing yards and a touchdown in his appearances during the regular season.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with quarterback Trey Lance.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance looks to pass against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Chicago. The Bears won 19-10. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) hands the ball off to running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (22) during an NFL football game Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022 in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Lachlan Cunningham)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance takes part in drills during the NFL team's football training camp in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, July 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) passes against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) runs against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance prepares to throw a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance scrambles out of the pocket in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance throws against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance runs with the ball during an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance rushes for a touchdown in a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance scrambles during a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance warms up before a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance throws a pass against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) looks to pass during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) looks to pass during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) throws during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. The Commanders won 23-19. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) looks to the sideline before the snap during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. The Commanders won 23-19. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
3. Former No. 3 pick
Prior to his time in Dallas, Lance entered the NFL as a top pick for the 49ers.
San Francisco selected the quarterback No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, making him the third at his position to be picked.
He spent from 2021 until he was traded before the 2023 season with the 49ers, finishing 2-2 as a starter and appearing in eight total games.
4. Top FCS QB
Lance attended FCS powerhouse North Dakota State and made his mark in just over a season at the school.
The quarterback started all 16 games during the 2019 season for the Bison and led them to a record-setting 16-0 year that was capped off with the 2020 FCS Championship, a game where he won the Most Valuable Player Award.
He finished that year with 2,786 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and no interceptions, setting the NCAA all-divisions record for most passing attempts in a complete season (287) without an interception. He also tacked on 1,100 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
Lance took home the Walter Payton Award as the most outstanding offensive player in the FCS and the Jerry Rice Award as the FCS's best freshman.
5. Dual-sport athlete
A Minnesota native, Lance starred at Marshall High School on the gridiron and on the hardwood.
Lance was a three-year starting quarterback for his school, earning all-district honors each of the years. He finished his prep career passing for 3,026 yards and a school-record 33 TDs in his career with 1,177 rushing yards and 18 TDs.
Lance was also a team captain on the school's basketball team, where he earned all-conference honors as well.
