Trey Lance is one quarter of the way through a preseason that could make him the NFL’s most intriguing reclamation QB of 2026

The broadcast of the preseason opener for the Lions and Chargers was quick to mention that Lance, who was drafted third-overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, is younger than 2025 rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and also 2024 first-round pick Bo Nix, who helped lead the Broncos to a 10-7 record and a Wild Card berth in the AFC playoffs.

Lance isn't just young relative to some recent draft picks, though. He's also young in the way of reps — which is arguably the biggest barrier between his current story and the potential one he could have written for himself.

The numbers are jarring but underscore a few things. First and foremost, Lance came into the league with the need for a plan and it's not clear, based on how things were handled, whether or not the 49ers ever had a firm one in place to steadily develop him. Any player that is drafted with three first-round picks invested into them is going to feel pressure to play early. Lance simply wasn't ready.

He likely won't be after 2025, either. But the Chargers signed Lance on a bottom of the barrel contract this offseason, inking him to a one-year, $2 million deal with the team in early April. A year on the roster in Los Angeles, behind Justin Herbert and underneath Jim Harbaugh & Greg Roman, could go a long way in getting some maturation and added seasoning under Lance's belt. And if that is paired with a strong full preseason performance, Lance can ignite some buzz into his stock for next spring.

You don't need to look any further than another member of that quarterback class of 2021 for proof. Zach Wilson played three seasons in New York as the second-overall pick, one spot in front of Lance. He was traded to Denver in late April of 2024 amid a pick-swap and had a strong preseason under Sean Payton with the Broncos, showing more refinement than any of his three years with the Jets. This spring, despite no regular season action in Denver, Wilson signed a backup contract in Miami worth $6 million — and incentives up to $10 million.

That mark is three-times what Lance will play for this season. But Lance is now one quarter of the way through a preseason schedule that could (and should) have his outlook on the rise if he continues to play like he did last night.