Chargers quarterback Trey Lance passes during the second half Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Associated Press)
With a strong showing in the preseason opener — earning both the trust and praise of the coaching staff — Trey Lance has seemingly closed the gap in what was once considered a foregone decision for the backup quarterback spot.
The growing confidence in his game showed Sunday — trusting his legs to extend plays — as he extended his second series with 13- and 17-yard scrambles in the second quarter. He capped the drive with a designed quarterback draw near the goal line for a five-yard touchdown run.
“It allows you to move the chains,” Harbaugh said of Lance’s running ability. “You make the right decisions, that’s what it really comes down to. … Not everybody can do that.”
Harbaugh added, “I’m glad he’s getting that game-time experience. We thought he would be good.”
Most of Lance’s production came on the ground, rushing seven times for 48 yards. He also completed seven of 14 passes for 55 yards.
“[I’m] just trying to have great practices and stack those on top of each other, and then great games and continue to stack those,” Lance said. “Like I said last week, I thought it was a good starting point. And this week, another one.”
Taylor Heinicke, who sat out the preseason opener, looked rusty in his first action, starting the game but finishing one for five for eight yards with one sack.
During his lone quarter of work, he overshot several receivers — Tyler Conklin downfield and Kimani Vidal near the sideline. Several drives stalled with Heinicke under center, as the Chargers started deep in their territory and pressure collapsed the pocket.
Injury have hit the Chargers hard in training camp.
From minor setbacks sidelining Mekhi Becton and Ladd McConkey for multiple practices, to the severe, with Najee Harris’ return date still a mystery and Rashawn Slater out for the season.
Out of an abundance of caution, coach Jim Harbaugh once again said veteran starters won’t play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium.
For rookies such as KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Nikko Reed, it’s a chance to build on the promise they showed in last week’s preseason debuts.
It will be the first direct comparison between Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance, who are in an unexpected backup quarterback battle.
And Trey Pipkins III will get much-needed reps at right tackle as the offensive line undergoes a reshuffle.
Battle at backup quarterback
Chargers quarterback Taylor Heinicke (8) hands off to running back Gus Edwards during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 22.
(Matt Freed / Associated Press)
After bouncing around three teams in five seasons, Lance showed flashes of why he was once a No. 3 overall pick.
His strong performance in the Hall of Fame Game — 120 yards and two touchdowns — earned him the coaching staff’s trust to compete for the backup quarterback spot alongside Heinicke.
“He’s a guy that is really diligent with his preparation,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “He definitely afforded himself well. … Confidence is only gained in this league on the field, and he should be confident.”
Last season, Heinicke served as the primary backup behind Justin Herbert, joining the Chargers from the Atlanta Falcons for a seventh-round pick, a concerted move to add depth after last year’s lackluster backup quarterback competition.
Though Heinicke, who re-signed in the offseason, appears to have a leg up, Lance will have the chance throughout the preseason to prove he can be a capable backup. The Chargers plan to play Heinicke during the first two series Sunday — his preseason debut — before Lance takes over for the rest of the game.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith moving up
Chargers receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith catches a pass during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions on July 31 in Canton, Ohio.
(Kirk Irwin / Associated Press)
As training camp unfolds, the Chargers may have unearthed a diamond in the rough with fifth-round pick KeAndre Lambert-Smith, the 21st wide receiver selected in the draft.
Roman raved about Lambert-Smith’s body type, speed, smooth movements and instinct for tracking the ball. Those traits have quickly led to chemistry with Herbert, resulting in more targets with each practice.
Despite drawing only two targets in his preseason debut, he made the most of them — hauling in a 28-yard reception and turning a 15-yard slant into a touchdown.
“He’s not just a one-trick pony, down-the-field guy — he’s really impressed me,” Roman said. “He’s gotten a lot better with his route running. There’s still a long way to go, but he’s on that trajectory.”
Trey Pipkins III’s move to right tackle
Chargers tackle Trey Pipkins III lines up to block against the Las Vegas Raiders on Jan. 5.
(Abbie Parr / Associated Press)
With Joe Alt sliding into the left tackle spot, Pipkins moves into a starting role on the opposite side after entering camp as a swing tackle, preparing for a scenario no one — including Pipkins — had hoped to see.
Harbaugh expressed confidence in the veteran — who started the preseason opener at left tackle and will now switch to right tackle — saying, “He really is one of our best guys.”
During his career, Pipkins has logged just over 3,000 snaps and started 41 games at tackle, a move he is comfortable with.
“His best position is tackle, and that move was made earlier this offseason,” Harbaugh added. “I have all the confidence in the world in Trey.”
Caleb Murphy’s drive
Chargers linebacker Caleb Murphy runs after the ball during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Thursday in Canton, Ohio.
(Kirk Irwin / Associated Press)
From the opening kickoff this preseason, Murphy’s influence has been immediate.
A special teamer trying to earn defensive snaps, Murphy sprinted downfield on the first play and forced a fumble, setting up the Chargers in scoring position. On defense, he showcased his pass-rushing ability, finishing with three tackles, including one for a loss.
In his second training camp with the team, the former undrafted free agent is growing comfortable in the defensive scheme, according to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
Minter says the “arrow is pointing up” for Murphy in a competitive room that also features fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard and second-year player Tre’Mon Morris-Brash, all vying for the fourth edge rusher spot.
Nikko Reed’s battle
Chargers cornerback Nikko Reed returns an interception during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions on July 31 in Canton, Ohio.
(Kirk Irwin / Associated Press)
With returning cornerbacks Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart and Ja’Sir Taylor — plus free-agent additions Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste — the odds are slim for an undrafted rookie to break into the rotation.
But Nikko Reed, the former Oregon Duck who has gone from virtual unknown to making high-impact coverage plays almost daily, is trying to beat the odds. His execution has translated from practice into a preseason game, with a near 60-yard pick-six last week.
“He’s definitely got a knack for making those types of plays,” Minter said.
Minter now wants to see if Reed can “take that next step” and consistently be that player — “doing that in practice, doing that in a couple more games.”
CANTON, Ohio — Trey Lance welcomes any opportunity that comes his way — a vexing four NFL seasons have only made him more eager — so Thursday night felt especially good.
Lance, the onetime third overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers, is battling for the Chargers’ backup quarterback job, and he made a compelling case in the Hall of Fame Game against the NFC darling Detroit Lions.
Although he didn’t put up gaudy numbers — completing 13 of 20 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns — he was as relaxed and at ease in front of the crowd of 18,144 at Tom Benson Stadium, as refreshing as the gentle evening breeze after a day of sprinkling rain.
“I was excited that we got this fourth preseason game,” Lance said after the 34-7 victory. “If I could play four games I’d be fired up about that.”
Lance, competing with Taylor Heinicke for the backup job to Justin Herbert, is on his third NFL team since being drafted in 2021. He was sidelined by injuries with the 49ers, then unseated by Brock Purdy. After that, Lance was a third-stringer for two seasons in Dallas. And keep in mind, he only played one full season at North Dakota State.
NFL analyst Sam Monson crunched the numbers and came up with this forehead-slapping stat: Lance has thrown a total of 781 pass attempts since he was 16. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, for instance, had 664 last season alone.
“He had the same kind of composure and poise and was just in control,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said of Lance after the game. “There’s a presence that I’ve been seeing all camp. He’s had a heck of a camp, and then he went out in the game and did that. Just the feeling of — he needs game reps, and you know he’s going to get them. It’s a great start for him tonight.”
Chargers quarterback Trey Lance passes in the first half of the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.
(David Richard / Associated Press)
As for that relatively minuscule number of pass attempts since high school?
Lance just turned 25 in May.
“Gosh, to be 25 again,” the coach said. “Wow, that’s the fat part of the bat, you know, for a quarterback. Excited about where he’s headed, happy to be in the middle of that story too. Just keep rolling. More reps next week.”
Here are five observations from the Chargers’ preseason opener:
