Backup no more? Trey Lance’s strong showing stirs a quarterback debate in Los Angeles.
CANTON, Ohio — In the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game, the Chargers didn’t just beat the Lions—they stomped them. Fueled by a fumble recovery on the opening kick, Trey Lance carved the kind of tape that could shift his status atop the backup quarterback depth chart: 120 yards, two touchdown strikes, and a command that silenced critics before the lights dimmed.
📌 Key Takeaways
🔥 QB Controversy Brewing
Trey Lance completed 13-of-20 passes for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns—including a gutsy 4th-and-goal strike to TE Will Dissly—showing calm control of the offense. With Justin Herbert firmly entrenched as the starter, Lance’s preseason debut may have leapfrogged him ahead of Easton Stick for the QB2 role.
🧲 Rookie Chemistry Sparks
Lance found rookie WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a 13-yard TD, and their connection looked fluid all night. Lambert-Smith led the team with 43 receiving yards, while RB Kimani Vidal added 2 TD runs in a balanced attack.
🛡️ Harbaugh’s Handprint
Jim Harbaugh’s fingerprints were all over this win: physical play, ball control, and five forced turnovers. On defense, Nikko Reed and rookie S Akeem Dent each snagged picks in a game that felt more like a midseason blowout than a preseason tune-up.
👀 Lions’ Wakeup Call
Detroit turned the ball over on the opening kickoff and never recovered. Hendon Hooker, expected to compete for the backup QB spot behind Jared Goff, threw an interception and fumbled once. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the Lions looked unprepared and underpowered.
📊 QB2 Watch: Lance vs. Stick
| Stat | Trey Lance | Easton Stick |
|---|---|---|
| Completions | 13/20 | 5/9 |
| Passing Yards | 120 | 48 |
| TD Passes | 2 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 (INT) |
| Rushing Yards | 11 | 4 |
| QB Rating | 116.3 | 61.7 |
Lance looked sharp, composed, and mobile—while Stick struggled with pocket awareness and decision-making.
🗣️ What It Means
While the Chargers’ win won’t show up in the standings, it injected major intrigue into their quarterback depth chart. Lance’s sharp decision-making and poise under pressure gave the Chargers something they haven’t had since Philip Rivers left: a second option with real upside. Whether this was a flash or a turning point remains to be seen—but QB2 just got interesting.
✍️ Stay Connected with Grandpa Pulse
Crypto hustler • Market cycles explorer • Faith & finance from a front-porch philosopher
📲 Follow me on social:
🐦 X (Twitter)
💬 Blurt.blog
📺 YouTube