After blowout win over Lions, Jim Harbaugh makes one thing clear about Trey Lance’s role with the Chargers

Many NFL fans didn’t even realize Trey Lance was now part of the Los Angeles Chargers—until Thursday night. The young quarterback led the team to a dominant preseason win over the Detroit Lions, prompting head coach Jim Harbaugh to share more about Lance’s role moving forward.

After months of anticipation, football is finally back. The Hall of Fame Game between the Lions and Chargers officially kicked off the 2025 NFL season—and the result caught many by surprise.

The Chargers controlled the game from start to finish, defeating the Lions 34-7. Los Angeles impressed on offense, with Trey Lance leading the way and making an early statement with his new team.

Jim Harbaugh reacts to Trey Lance’s breakout performance in Hall of Fame Game

With preseason now underway, fans are eager to evaluate their teams’ depth. As tradition goes, the Hall of Fame Game opened the preseason slate, featuring the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers in this year’s edition.

Both teams primarily used second- and third-string players, reserving their starters. These early games are a key opportunity for fringe players to fight for a spot on the 53-man roster—and the Chargers may have found a standout in Lance.

Acquired this offseason by the Chargers, Trey Lance has had a turbulent NFL journey so far. Once a top draft pick, he’s now battling to prove he still belongs in the league.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh gave him the starting nod against Detroit, and Lance delivered—completing 13 of 20 passes for 120 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. It was one of his best performances in recent memory and a strong opening argument for a spot on the final roster.

“He hasn’t had a lot of game experience, and that’s what we’re trying to give him, and he acquitted himself well,” Harbaugh said. “Big night for Trey. Played calm, played cool, played collected, ran the operation, I thought he threw the ball really well. Big night for him.”

Will Trey Lance be Justin Herbert’s backup in 2025?

There’s no question that Justin Herbert is the Chargers’ starting quarterback. But behind him, the team needs a reliable option in case of injury—and Trey Lance is firmly in the mix for that backup job.

Lance is currently competing with Taylor Heinicke for the QB2 role. The Chargers are expected to closely monitor preseason performances, and Lance’s strong debut could give him the edge. If he can continue to build confidence and consistency, he may finally begin to live up to the promise that once made him a top NFL prospect.