Remember Trey Lance? The dude the San Francisco 49ers drafted third overall in 2021 after trading away three first-rounders? Five years later, he’s still fighting for a backup spot, this time with the Los Angeles Chargers, and his recent outing against the Niners on August 20, 2026, was a wild flashback to what could have been.
From Franchise QB Hope to Backup Scramble
Lance’s journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. That night in Inglewood, he went 10-for-16 for 73 passing yards, showing off that tantalizing athleticism with a scramble early in the game. He looked way more settled in the pocket than he did in his tumultuous debut with the 49ers years ago. But let’s be real, the fact he’s already on his third NFL uniform just five years after being taken so high is a stark reminder of how fast things can change. The Niners shipped him off to the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 for just a fifth-round pick, a wild turn for a guy who once represented their future. Now, he’s with the Chargers, vying for Justin Herbert’s backup job for the second straight year. It’s a comeback story in the making, no doubt, and he’s got some familiar faces helping out: Mike McDaniel, who was his offensive coordinator in San Francisco, is now the Chargers’ OC, working under another former Niner, Jim Harbaugh.
The Backup Battle & 49ers’ Preseason Standouts
Lance isn’t a lock for that backup job, either. Harbaugh made it clear DJ Uiagalelei is still firmly in the mix, and Uiagalelei put up a decent showing himself on Thursday, going 7-for-15 with a touchdown pass. This backup battle is heating up! Beyond the QB drama, some other players on the field made their case. For the 49ers, defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. was graded their highest pass rusher with an 80.8, showing he’s got that juice. Then there’s Sam Okauyinonu. This guy is an ideal role player, perfect in spurts. Last year, being stretched into a full-time role hurt his effectiveness, but in this game, he showed up: five run snaps, two stops, and a rep win that forced a tackle for loss. He also nabbed two pressures and a quarterback hit on 12 pass rushes. And don’t sleep on Kaelon Black, the running back. His discipline is just impressive. He refuses to bounce runs outside, always staying vertical, pinballing off defenders for positive gains. He keeps his feet moving in the backfield, always gaining ground. That’s a trait you love to see!
As the 49ers move on to face Las Vegas, and Trey Lance keeps grinding to secure his spot on the Chargers’ roster, you gotta wonder what’s next. Will Lance finally click and show the league what those three first-round picks were supposed to buy? We’ll be watching to see how this comeback story unfolds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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