By Sunday 
For a guy who’s spent much of his NFL career on the sidelines or in the shadows, Trey Lance looked like a whole new man on Thursday night. The stage? The 2025 Hall of Fame Game. The moment? A shot to show that the former first-round pick still has something to say in this league. And say it he did.
A Fresh Start with Harbaugh
Now donning a Los Angeles Chargers jersey, Lance opened the preseason under center and didn’t miss a beat. He finished the first half 9-of-12 for 97 yards and two touchdowns, looking composed, efficient, and — dare we say — confident.
Sure, it’s preseason. Sure, the opposition wasn’t stacked with first-string defenders. But context doesn’t kill momentum. This was the first time in a long time that Lance looked like the guy we all imagined when the San Francisco 49ers went all-in on him in the 2021 draft.
And a big part of that? Jim Harbaugh.
The legendary coach clearly knows how to unlock potential in his quarterbacks. Unlike his former stop in Dallas — where Lance was mostly an insurance policy collecting dust — Harbaugh seems intent on actually using what he has.
“The MVP of the first half, for me,” Cris Collinsworth said during the broadcast, capturing what everyone was thinking.
What Dallas Couldn’t Offer
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys never gave Lance a real shot. Whether it was because of timing, fit, or simply a crowded QB room, Lance in Dallas felt like a placeholder — not a player.
Now, with a coach who’s known for getting gritty, no-nonsense performances out of his guys, Lance looked sharper than he ever did in silver and blue. That “quiet confidence” we heard about in college? It’s back.
A Future Still Unwritten
Let’s keep expectations grounded. One solid preseason performance doesn’t rewrite history — but it might hint at the future. Lance is still young, still raw, and still finding his footing in the league. But if Thursday night is any indication, the story’s far from over.
Whether he evolves into a reliable starter or becomes the league’s most trusted backup, his chapter with the Chargers is off to a promising start.
And hey, at the very least, he reminded everyone — and especially the Cowboys — that opportunity can be everything.