49ers’ first-round draft bust signs $6.2 million contract with Chargers
Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers helmets sits idle during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The San Francisco 49ers have lost 17 free agents this offseason, and now another former member of their team has landed a job elsewhere. Except this one wasnāt on the 49ersā roster last season.
Instead, itās former Dallas Cowboys and 49ers quarterback Trey Lance signing a one-year contract worth $6.2 million with the Los Angeles Chargers.Ā
For Lance, itās a good landing spot, placing him in the hands of Jim Harbaugh, who has a history of working with mobile quarterbacks such as Colin Kaepernick.Ā
Lance will be in competition with Taylor Heinicke to be Justin Herbertās primary backup in L.A. While the 32-year-old Heinicke would appear to have the early advantage thanks to his 29 games of starting experience, Lance will still be just 25 years old when the season kicks off.Ā
Even though Lance was the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, his career never really got launched. Four seasons after he was drafted, Lance has still only appeared in 12 games and has made five starts. Heās completed just 81 of 143 passes for 1,063 passing yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions.Ā
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Back in 2021, the 49ers loved Lanceās potential so much that they were willing to trade three first-round picks plus a third-round selection to move up and select him third overall. Just two years later, after 2023 seventh-round pick Brock Purdy surpassed Lance on the depth chart, the 49ers traded the former No. 3 pick to the Cowboys in exchange for the 124th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.Ā
Now with a chance to be a free agent for the first time in his career, Lance lingered on the open market for nearly a month before finding a landing spot with the Chargers. Yet, the Chargers clearly see some potential in the dual-threat QB.
More NFL News:Ā NFL exec casts big doubts on Brock Purdy contract extension at $60 million a year
