Los Angeles Chargers QB Trey Lance leaves the field after the game against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chargers QB Trey Lance all class as he looks forward to facing 49ers

Originally posted on Los Angeles Chargers on SI
By Randy Gurzi | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 7:40 PM ET

This weekend, the Los Angeles Chargers will head to Santa Clara to take on the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night in the preseason finale.

Starting in this one will again be Trey Lance, who gets to take on the team that selected him third overall in the 2021 NFL draft. Lance was the starter in his second season with the 49ers, but lost his job to Brock Purdy following an ankle injury.

Lance isn't bitter about his departure though, staying classy when asked about facing his former team. While saying it was just "another game," he expressed gratitude for his time with San Francisco.

“I, again, don’t have a bad thing to say about anyone or anything there. Had a great time. Learned a ton. … It’ll be exciting and fun to see Brock (Purdy) and see Coach Shanahan and some of the guys that are still there that I played with. … But outside of that, it’s ball. It’s another game.”

Trey Lance on returning to Santa Clara to start the preseason finale Saturday against the 49ers (via Chargers Weekly):

“I, again, don’t have a bad thing to say about anyone or anything there. Had a great time. Learned a ton. … It’ll be exciting and fun to see Brock (Purdy) and…
— Chris Hayre (@chrishayre) August 22, 2025

Lance spent the past two seasons as a backup with the Dallas Cowboys, but was never able to unseat Cooper Rush as Dak Prescott's primary backup. He's now making the most of his fresh start with the Chargers, and has been playing well this preseason.

Los Angeles would prefer he remain on the bench during the regular season, but he's done enough to give them confidence if he had to step in for Justin Herbert at any point.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Chargers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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