Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert underwent hand surgery on Monday, which means backup quarterback Trey Lance could earn some time in the spotlight. While Herbert still hopes to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, only time will tell if his body can heal that quickly. If it can’t, then former top-three pick Trey Lance will have the opportunity to start a high-pressure game against the reigning Super Bowl champions in front of a national audience.
Trey Lance, of course, is one of the most interesting draft busts in recent memory. Selected with the third-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the North Dakota State product began his career on the bench before starting the 2022 season under center. Unfortunately, he quickly suffered an injury, which eventually allowed Brock Purdy to take the starting job. Since then, Lance has bounced around the league, spending 2024 with the Cowboys before joining the Chargers in 2025.
While he hasn’t looked particularly great on the field, it’s important to note he’s only made four professional starts and entered the league as a raw prospect. If Trey Lance starts and performs well in place of an injured Justin Herbert, he could draw interest from one of the following quarterback-needy teams in the offseason.
Justin Herbert’s Injury Could Revive Trey Lance; 3 Potential Suitors
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are stuck in limbo, as quarterback Michael Penix tore his ACL, and the team will probably part ways with Raheem Morris once the 2025 season comes to a close. Penix didn’t play up to expectations when healthy. Still, he did enough to justify another season under center, especially since the team doesn’t have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. However, they need someone capable of starting if Penix isn’t healthy for the start of the season, and Trey Lance could be their bridge quarterback.
Kirk Cousins is technically under contract for the 2026 season, but it’s hard to envision Atlanta continuing to carry him, even if they need a quarterback. Rather than spending big on an aging veteran, the team could sign Trey Lance to a cheap, incentive-laden one-year deal. In a best-case scenario, Lance can play at an adequate level and give Penix the time to fully recover. In a worst-case scenario, Lance could help the team earn a high pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers is probably the best quarterback the Steelers have had since a healthy Ben Roethlisberger, but that says a lot more about Pittsburgh’s recent quarterbacks than it does about the four-time NFL MVP. Perhaps Rodgers returns for one more season, but if he doesn’t, the Steelers must find yet another answer under center. Assuming they don’t have the draft capital to get a high-end prospect, they could roll the dice on Trey Lance.
Lance is far from the safest option out there, but he offers more upside than anyone else on the free agent market. Just like in 2024, perhaps the Steelers could pair a high-upside option like Lance with a relatively safe veteran like Marcus Mariota or Joe Flacco and see who emerges atop the depth chart.
Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy is playing some historically bad football, and undrafted free agent Max Brosmer is somehow even worse. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is a good offensive mind, but he can’t make it work with this level of incompetence under center. Trey Lance may not be a can’t-miss option, but Minnesota can’t go into the 2026 season with McCarthy as the only legitimate option. Maybe the Michigan product can improve over the offseason, but the Vikings must find a Plan B in case that doesn’t happen.
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