BREAKING: Chargers Take $6 Million Risk on Former 49ers Quarterback Bust

The Los Angeles Chargers have been quite active this offseason, and their activity continued on Friday. The team is focused on improving their roster to compete with top AFC teams, especially the Kansas City Chiefs in their own division. On the offensive side, they’ve added notable players like Najee Harris, Tyler Conklin, and Mike Williams to give quarterback Justin Herbert more weapons. However, their most surprising move came on Friday when they signed Trey Lance to a one-year deal worth up to $6.2 million, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

This move was unexpected given that Herbert is the starter and Taylor Heinicke serves as the backup, leaving Lance as the third-string quarterback. Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, has struggled to live up to expectations, especially after being replaced by Brock Purdy in 2023 and traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

Last season, Lance was the third-string quarterback for the Cowboys, behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. He made one start, throwing for 266 yards and an interception. Now, at 24 years old, he gets another shot with the Chargers. However, with the current quarterback depth chart, Lance is unlikely to see significant playing time unless Herbert or Heinicke gets injured.