El Segundo, California (AP) On Friday, quarterback Trey Lance agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. Lance has spent the last two years with the Dallas Cowboys, following his first two NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, who infamously picked him with the third overall choice in the 2021 draft out of North Dakota State.

Lance has yet to live up to his immense potential, but Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh will have the opportunity to mold the quarterback while he trains with Taylor Heinecke as Justin Herbert’s backup.

Lance, who turns 25 next month, is still younger than high-profile 2024 rookie quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix, but he has yet to play much in the NFL despite his high selection position. He was injured in his second season with the Niners and was unable to beat either Jimmy Garoppolo or Brock Purdy for the starting job, forcing San Francisco to move on from its high-risk pick after only two years. Lance subsequently did not play for Dallas again until 2023, when he appeared on occasion and even started the Cowboys’ season finale last year. Lance has started five games over his four-year career, passing for 1,063 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Three weeks ago, the Bolts re-signed Heinecke, who played four games as Herbert’s primary backup last season. The Chargers have not re-signed Easton Stick, their backup quarterback for the last six seasons. Stick played in six games during his stint, including four starts late in the 2023 season when Herbert was injured with a broken finger. Herbert has proven to be a durable quarterback throughout his outstanding career, but despite not missing a game last season, he battled multiple severe injuries.