When the Los Angeles Chargers suit up for the Hall of Game on Thursday night, Trey Lance will start at quarterback.
Trey Lance Will Start Hall Of Fame Game
#Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh says Trey Lance will get the start at QB in Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game
Added if “all goes well” Lance will play the first half and a drive into the 3rd Q.
DJ Uiagalelei will take over from there and Taylor Heinicke will serve as emergency QB. pic.twitter.com/Oj6ovGkpDT
— Omar Navarro (@OmarNavarro____) July 29, 2025
It will be the former first-round pick under center for the Chargers in their first preseason game.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that Lance will start at quarterback against the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game. Harbaugh said the plan is to play Lance for the first half, and if all goes well, one drive in the third quarter, via Omar Navarro.
Harbaugh praised Lance for his strong performance during training camp.
“I just want to get Trey Lance game experience,” Harbaugh told reporters on Tuesday via Chargers.com. “With his career and then in college, he doesn’t have as much as most guys.”
Lance’s career has not gone as planned. The 49ers moved up to No. 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft to select Lance.
The North Dakota State product started the 2021 season as the backup to Jimmy Garoppolo. Lance appeared in six games during his rookie season and went 1-1 as a starter.
Lance entered the 2022 season as the starting quarterback. Lance started two games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
The following season, Lance was demoted to third-string quarterback behind Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold. In August 2023, the 49ers traded Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2024 fourth-round pick.
After sitting out the entire season, Lance made one start in four games played during the 2024 season. Lance has thrown for 1,063 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions in 12 games.
Lance signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Chargers earlier this offseason.
DJ Uiagalelei will back up Lance on Thursday night, and Taylor Heinicke will dress as the emergency third-string quarterback.
Harbaugh said that “veteran traditional starters” will not play in the Hall of Fame Game. This includes Justin Herbert, Rashawn Slater, Derwin James Jr., Khalil Mack, Quentin Johnston, and more.
Running back Omarion Hampton, the Chargers’ first-round pick, will likely play for a bit on Thursday.
How To Watch NFL Hall Of Fame Game
🚨 BIG NEWS 🚨
The Detroit @Lions and Los Angeles @Chargers are set to battle in the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game presented by @NovartisUS!📅 Thursday, July 31, 2025
⏰ 8 p.m. ET
📍 Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium – Canton, OH
🎟️ Tickets on sale Monday, April 28 at 10… pic.twitter.com/tqpDPtfaQW— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) April 23, 2025
The Hall of Fame Game marks the first preseason matchup of the NFL season.
The Chargers and Lions will play the game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, the site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark, and Terry McAulay will be on the call.
