2021 Third Overall Pick Lands a Deal Back with the Chargers
Coming out of North Dakota State University, Trey Lance was drafted as the third overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft for an astounding three first-round and three second-round picks to the Miami Dolphins. After a rough start to Lance’s career, he was traded from the Niners to the Cowboys and eventually signed a deal with the Chargers in 2025. As the 2025 season draws to a close, the 2021 third overall pick will enter free agency as an unrestricted free agent. Having shown glimpses of promise with the Chargers after a promising regular-season game against the Broncos in Week 18, Lance is potentially on the move again. However, after a series of highs and lows for the former first-rounder, he has rejoined the Chargers on a one-year, $6.75 million deal.
Coming from North Dakota State, Lance was recording video game-like numbers that NFL prospects could only dream of drafting. Lance led North Dakota State to a 16-0 record, winning the FCS National Championship. He threw for a flawless 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions while simultaneously rushing for 1,100 yards and 14 TDs the same year. Coming off a magical 2019 year, Lance’s 2020 season was cut short after COVID-19 shut down the country, forcing him to enter the draft with 17 career college starts. His unbelievable statistical output, but lack of experience, made him one of the rawest prospects to ever enter the draft with unbelievable potential to whoever drafted him.
The 49ers then decided to take a gamble and traded three first and second round picks to the Miami Dolphins for the unproven quarterback, which, in hindsight, has become one of the most costly trades in NFL history. After being drafted, the 2021 third overall pick sat behind veteran Jimmy Garoppolo during his rookie season, starting only two games. Lance was officially named the starter in 2022 but suffered a season-ending broken fibula and ankle ligament damage in Week Two against the Seattle Seahawks that would end up costing him his starting spot. Starting just four games for the 49ers, he broke the record for playing the least amount of games ever for a top-five pick with the original team that drafted him. The 2021 third overall pick was then traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 for a fourth-round pick, where he continued to struggle with earning playing time, as he was the third-string quarterback behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. In 2025, the Chargers agreed to a one-year deal with Lance as a free agent, giving the quarterback another chance to prove himself before the NFL was ready to leave him behind. Despite flashes of promise with his rushing ability, he continues to struggle with his passing with the Chargers. Despite that, the Chargers are ready to give Lance another desperately needed chance to prove himself in his new one-year deal.
