Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance is starting in place of Justin Herbert against the Denver Broncos.
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance is getting a rare start for the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18.
Coach Jim Harbaugh decided to sit Justin Herbert in an attempt to get No. 10 as healthy as possible for their playoff run.
With Herbert out, it now gives Lance a chance to show the NFL world he still has potential and talent left in the tank.
Lance spent a couple of seasons with the Cowboys and only had one start under Mike McCarthy, Week 18 last season, against the Washington Commanders.
Trey finished his day going 20-of-34 for 244 yards in the 23-19 loss at AT&T Stadium.
Harbaugh revealed the reason for Lance starting against Denver, and it is one that maybe Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer should take note of.
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"Winning and health, being healthy, those are our two objectives," Harbaugh said via ESPN's Kris Rhim. "And guys that we think -- the doctors, the trainers, myself, organization -- that have the most bruises and need that time the most, we've decided that's the direction we're going."
So not exactly Organic Tanking, but close to it.
With the Chargers not likely to move up or down in the AFC playoff seeding, it doesn't make sense for Herbert, who is banged up, to play in Week 18.
That gives Lance a chance to strut his stuff.
Some might think this is a throwaway game for Trey, but in reality, this is his 2026 audition to the rest of the league after having once been the No. 3 overall pick in his NFL Draft with the 49ers.
Go out and play well, and who knows, a team might come calling next season and offer him a job.
Several teams are in need of a quarterback, and like Tyler Huntley of the Baltimore Ravens or Malik Williams in Green Bay, Lance - still just 25 - can be the latest backup quarterback to step in and play well.
Dallas, after trading for him a couple of years ago, didn't really give Lance a chance aside from preseason games, but now he has a shot against Denver.