The career of an NFL quarterback is often a story of immense pressure, high expectations, and a journey filled with both triumphs and setbacks. For a highly-touted prospect, every moment on the field, even in non-critical exhibition games, is scrutinized under a microscope.
This is particularly true for Trey Lance, a quarterback whose preseason stats have been a focal point of discussion and debate ever since he was drafted third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
His performance in these exhibition games has offered a glimpse into his development, showcasing moments of brilliance alongside periods of inconsistency, and providing valuable data points for coaches, analysts, and fans alike as they attempt to chart his career trajectory.
Preseason football, while not counting in the official standings, serves a critical purpose. For rookie quarterbacks and those vying for a starting job, it is the first opportunity to face live NFL competition in a structured setting. It’s a chance to showcase an ability to process reads at a faster speed, manage the huddle, and demonstrate the physical tools that made them a high draft pick.
For a player like Trey Lance, who entered the league with limited collegiate experience, these snaps were more than just a tune-up; they were a vital part of his on-field education. A deep dive into Trey Lance’s preseason stats reveals a fascinating narrative of a young quarterback’s evolution through multiple teams and varying expectations.
A Comprehensive Breakdown of Trey Lance’s Preseason Stats
To truly understand Trey Lance’s journey, it is essential to analyze his preseason statistics year by year, contextualizing his performance with the circumstances he faced on each team.
2021 Preseason: The Rookie Year with the 49ers
As the third overall pick, Trey Lance’s arrival in San Francisco came with immense fanfare. He was seen as the 49ers’ quarterback of the future, a dual-threat weapon with a cannon for an arm. His 2021 preseason was a critical first step.
Passing Stats: Across three games, Lance completed 19 of 41 passes (46.3% completion rate) for 276 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. He also had a passer rating of 83.0.
Rushing Stats: He added 39 rushing yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts.
Analysis: These numbers were a mixed bag. The low completion percentage raised some eyebrows, but the three touchdowns demonstrated his playmaking ability. The raw stats, however, don’t tell the full story. As the third overall pick, the expectation was a more polished performance.
His struggles with accuracy were evident, but so was his ability to make big plays, including a memorable 80-yard touchdown pass to Trent Sherfield in his first preseason game. The 49ers coaching staff, including head coach Kyle Shanahan, often emphasized that the preseason was more about evaluating his decision-making and comfort level than it was about a perfect stat line.
2022 Preseason: The Starter’s Audition
Following a year where he mostly sat behind veteran Jimmy Garoppolo, the 2022 preseason was Lance’s definitive moment to prove he was ready to be the starter.
Passing Stats: In two preseason games, he was far more efficient, completing 11 of 16 passes (68.8% completion rate) for 141 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. His passer rating skyrocketed to 116.9.
Rushing Stats: He had 11 yards on 2 attempts.
Analysis: This preseason showed a marked improvement in his efficiency and decision-making. The numbers, though in a smaller sample size, were a significant jump from his rookie year. He looked more comfortable in the pocket and was making quicker reads.
This performance affirmed the 49ers’ decision to hand him the starting job heading into the regular season. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a devastating ankle injury in Week 2, a moment that would fundamentally alter the course of his career in San Francisco.
2023 Preseason: A New Beginning and the Trade to Dallas
After recovering from his injury, Lance was thrust into an unfamiliar role in the 2023 offseason, as Brock Purdy’s meteoric rise made him the starter. Lance’s preseason performance was seen as his final opportunity to prove his worth to the 49ers, or to another team.
Passing Stats: Across two preseason games with the 49ers before his trade to Dallas, he completed 22 of 33 passes (66.7% completion rate) for 285 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His passer rating was 101.2.
Rushing Stats: He had 18 yards on 4 carries.
Analysis: Once again, Lance showcased his potential, particularly with a strong passer rating and a solid completion percentage. This performance, however, was not enough to secure his place as the backup in San Francisco. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, a move that gave him a new lease on his career. The 49ers’ trade of a former No. 3 overall pick for a fourth-round pick highlighted the stark reality that they had moved on. The Cowboys, in turn, saw an opportunity to acquire a young, high-upside quarterback who needed a change of scenery.
2024 Preseason: The Cowboys’ Evaluation
In his first preseason with the Cowboys, Lance was given a significant amount of playing time to acclimate to a new system and compete for the backup job behind Dak Prescott.
Passing Stats: In three games, he completed 73 of 113 attempts (64.6% completion rate) for 662 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. His passer rating was 67.8.
Rushing Stats: He had 27 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 6 carries.
Analysis: This was perhaps the most challenging and inconsistent preseason for Lance. While he showed an ability to move the ball and showcased his mobility with two rushing touchdowns, the high number of interceptions was a major red flag.
According to a CBS Sports report, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged the “ups and downs” but also expressed a belief that the “priceless” reps were valuable for Lance’s development. This preseason demonstrated his need for consistent on-field experience, highlighting the rust he needed to shake off from his lack of playing time.
2025 Preseason: A New Opportunity in Los Angeles
After one season with the Cowboys, Trey Lance was on the move again, traded to the Los Angeles Chargers. In a new offense under a new coaching staff, the 2025 preseason was another crucial opportunity.
Passing Stats: In four games with the Chargers, he completed 27 of 49 passes (55.1% completion rate) for 296 yards, two touchdowns, and zero turnovers. His passer rating was 86.8.
Rushing Stats: He had 10 rushing yards and one touchdown on 3 carries.
Analysis: The most notable statistic from this preseason was his zero turnovers. This was a critical improvement from his time in Dallas. While his completion percentage was lower than his 2022 and 2023 highs, he showed a new-found poise and a focus on protecting the football, a trait highly valued by head coach Jim Harbaugh. A CBS Sports article noted that he “exhibited growth” and a “cool and calm demeanor,” which are qualities that coaches look for beyond the stat sheet.
The Significance of Preseason Stats in Evaluating a Quarterback
While the numbers are important, the most critical part of a preseason analysis is understanding what they truly mean. Preseason stats can be a tricky metric to rely on for a number of reasons.
What Coaches Look For Beyond the Box Score:
Decision-Making and Processing Speed: A high completion percentage against a third-string defense doesn’t necessarily mean a quarterback is ready for the regular season. What coaches truly value is how quickly a quarterback reads the defense, goes through his progressions, and makes the correct decision.
Command of the Huddle and Offense: Preseason games provide a live setting to test a quarterback’s ability to call plays, manage the clock, and lead the team. For a young player like Lance, this experience is invaluable.
Accuracy and Ball Placement: While completion percentage is a good indicator, coaches pay close attention to the ball’s placement, ensuring it is in a position for receivers to make a play while also being protected from defenders.
Resilience and Leadership: How a quarterback responds to a bad play, a sack, or an interception is a key indicator of their mental toughness and leadership potential. The way Lance bounced back from his turnover issues in 2024 to a clean sheet in 2025 is a testament to this development.
Real-Life Examples:
The Jerry Jones Quote: Following Lance’s five-interception performance in the 2024 preseason, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated that he “hated that those five interceptions are going to be a stat” but was glad for the “priceless” experience. This highlights the fact that the reps themselves were more important than the final stat line, as they provided valuable film for evaluation.
The Jim Harbaugh Quote: The Chargers coach praised Lance’s “good presence and poised and in control” in the 2025 preseason. This quote perfectly illustrates that coaches value a quarterback’s demeanor and non-statistical performance as much as, if not more than, the final numbers.
FAQs
What were Trey Lance’s best preseason performances?
Trey Lance’s most statistically efficient preseason came in 2022 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he had a passer rating of 116.9 with one touchdown and zero interceptions in two games. In his 2023 preseason with the 49ers, he also had a strong performance with a passer rating of 101.2 and two touchdowns.
How do Trey Lance’s preseason stats compare to his regular-season stats?
Trey Lance has shown flashes of brilliance in the preseason with higher passer ratings and touchdowns per attempt than in his limited regular-season action. However, his regular-season stats have been impacted by injuries and a lack of consistent playing time, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison.
Did Trey Lance’s preseason performance influence his trades?
Yes, his preseason performance has directly influenced his career trajectory. His impressive 2022 preseason solidified his role as the 49ers’ starter, while his trade to the Cowboys was influenced by his strong performance in the 2023 preseason, which showcased his potential to other teams. Conversely, his up-and-down 2024 preseason with the Cowboys provided valuable film for the team to evaluate his progress and ultimately contributed to their decision to trade him to the Chargers.
What do NFL analysts say about the significance of Trey Lance’s preseason stats?
NFL analysts often view Lance’s preseason stats with a degree of caution. While they acknowledge the moments of brilliance, they stress that his real development is in his ability to process information and make quick decisions, which may not always be reflected in the final stat line. They believe his preseason reps are vital for his development, regardless of the outcome.
Where does Trey Lance stand in the current NFL quarterback landscape?
As of 2025, Trey Lance is with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he has secured the backup quarterback job behind Justin Herbert. His recent preseason performance with the Chargers, particularly his zero turnovers, has shown signs of maturity and poise, positioning him as a high-upside backup with the potential to compete for a starting job in the future should the opportunity arise.
Final Thoughts
The story of Trey Lance’s preseason stats is a complex one, filled with highs and lows that reflect the tumultuous nature of his young career. His journey has been anything but linear, with a series of promising starts, unfortunate injuries, and consequential trades.
The numbers themselves are not just a collection of yards and touchdowns; they are a chronicle of his ongoing development, a testament to his resilience, and a roadmap for the areas he still needs to improve.
Ultimately, the preseason is a testing ground, and for Trey Lance, it has provided the crucial reps he needed to grow and evolve. As his career continues, his preseason stats will remain a key part of the narrative, a series of data points that tell the story of a talented quarterback fighting to find his footing in the NFL.
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