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Training camps opened across the NFL last week. But later this week, the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers will meet in Canton, Ohio, to officially kick off the preseason.
On Tuesday, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Trey Lance as the starter for Thursday’s exhibition opener. Lance was the third overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, but the first few seasons of his professional football career have been turbulent.
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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance (5) at training camp at The Bolt on July 21, 2025 in El Segundo, California. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Harbaugh, who is entering his second season as the head coach in Los Angeles, also told reporters that Lance will take snaps into the third quarter of the game against the Lions.
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“I want to get Trey Lance game experience,” Harbaugh said.
Lance agreed to a one-year contract with the Chargers in the offseason after a two-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance (5) at training camp at The Bolt on July 21, 2025 in El Segundo, California. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
He was traded to the Cowboys in 2023, but was relegated to the third spot on the depth chart. He was considered a healthy scratch for each game that season.
The 26-year-old appeared in four games with the Cowboys. He took the field as a starter for one of those games after Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush suffered respective injuries.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance (5) throws the ball during training camp at The Bolt on July 25, 2025 in El Segundo, California. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Lance finished the 2024 season with 266 passing yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. He started his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers.
Former Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is expected to relieve Lance in Thursday’s game. Many NFL teams elect to hold their starters out of the first preseason game. Keeping in line with that approach, Chargers starting quarterback Justin Herbet will sit out on Thursday.
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The annual Hall of Fame coincides with the induction ceremonies for members of the latest class. It also gives the participating clubs an extra opportunity to evaluate their respective teams. Every other NFL team will play three preseason contests, while the Chargers and Lions will conclude the exhibition season with four games under their belts.
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