Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance (5) works out prior to an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

DENVER — Marshall-native Trey Lance will be taking his talents to new heights on Sunday, taking over the reins as the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers in their regular-season finale in Denver against the Broncos, according to Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Sunday’s start will be the sixth of Lance’s career in the National Football League, and marks his second consecutive season starting the final game of the season for his team.

Lance was given the nod after it was announced that starting quarterback Justin Herbert would rest for the final week of the regular season after playing through a fractured left hand since week 13. The Chargers have already clinched a playoff spot, but their loss to the Houston Texans over the weekend eliminated their chance of winning the division and home-field advantage for the wildcard round, so Sunday’s game will determine whether the Chargers are the fifth, sixth or seventh seed.

Last season, Lance started the Dallas Cowboys’ regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders. Lance threw for 244 yards on 34 attempts and ran for another 26 yards on six carries. He was sacked twice in the 23-19 loss to a Commanders squad that went on to advance to the NFC Championship game.

So far this season, Lance has seen limited action in three games. Across the trio of outings, Lance completed seven of his 13 pass attempts for 90 yards and ran the ball eight times for 16 yards. He has not thrown for a touchdown or interception this year.

This season marks Lance’s fifth in the NFL since being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Lance started four games for the 49ers, going 2-2 with two touchdowns and three interceptions in his starts.

Lance will have started games for three different teams across his five years in the league after Sunday’s outing. He spent two seasons in San Francisco, was traded to Dallas where he spent the next two seasons, and then joined the Chargers in a backup role in his first go-around in free agency this year.

Lance will be a free agent again in the upcoming offseason, making Sunday’s game an opportunity to showcase his talents to quarterback-needy teams. After inking a four-year, $34-million rookie contract, he most recently signed for one year, $2 million last offseason with Los Angeles.

Sunday’s game at Empower Field in Denver is slated to kick off at 3:25 p.m.