Risk Flags
6- Depth Chart
Lance re-signed with LAC on a 1-year deal (up to $6.75M) to serve as Justin Herbert's backup for 2026. Herbert is elite and under contract, leaving Lance with zero path to regular starting snaps barring injury.
- Limited Starting Path
Lance is the backup to Justin Herbert, with only two quarterbacks on the Chargers roster, heavily banking on Herbert's durability despite recent injury history; a serious injury to Herbert would force the team to rely entirely on Lance, a player who has limited NFL starting experience.
- Poor Starting Performance
Lance completed 20 of 44 pass attempts for 136 yards and an interception while gaining 69 yards and losing a fumble on nine carries in Sunday's 19-3 loss to Denver, and completed less than half of his 44 pass attempts, with his only touchdown pass going to the other team via a pick-six.
- Contract Situation
Lance is an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season with no guaranteed future with the Chargers or any team. His Week 18 performance (20/44, 136 yards, INT, pick-six) significantly damaged his market value heading into free agency.
- Blocked Pathway
Justin Herbert is entrenched as the Chargers' franchise quarterback with zero path for Lance to earn meaningful playing time barring injury. Lance's only 2025 start came in a meaningless Week 18 game where he severely underperformed.
- Career Trajectory
At 25.7 years old with only 6 career starts across 5 NFL seasons and catastrophic injury history (ACL, ankle), Lance has failed to develop into a viable starting option. His 45.5% completion rate in Week 18 suggests he remains a raw, unfinished product.