Trey Lance

Trey Lance is an American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Dakota State, where he received the Walter Payton and Jerry Rice Awards in 2019 en route to winning the FCS NCAA National Championship. His 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with him only appearing in a single game that year prior to being selected third overall by the 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Lance began the 2021 season as the second-string quarterback behind incumbent starter Jimmy Garoppolo, but made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. He was utilized on one play during the first quarter, where he threw a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Trent Sherfield in the eventual 41–33 victory. In Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers, Lance took the field for two plays and scored a rushing touchdown on the first. The game ended in a 28–30 defeat.

During Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, Lance saw his first significant playing time when he relieved an injured Garoppolo in the second half. He completed 9 of 18 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 41 yards on seven carries, with the 49ers ultimately losing 21–28. Due to Garoppolo's injury, Lance was named the starter for the following week's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Lance completed 15 of 29 passes for 192 yards, rushed for 89 yards on 16 carries, and threw his first interception on the 49ers' opening drive to safety Budda Baker in the 10–17 defeat. Lance did not take field again until the 49ers' final drive against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. He rushed for seven yards before taking the victory formation to complete the 30–10 win.

Lance remained the second-string quarterback for the next five weeks until Garoppolo suffered a thumb injury in a 17–20 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Making his second start in Week 17 against the Houston Texans, Lance threw for 249 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. The 49ers subsequently won 23–7, earning Lance his first career win. Lance's start marked his final appearance of the regular season after Garoppolo returned for the finale against the Los Angeles Rams. He held a backup role during the 49ers' playoff run, which concluded with a defeat to the Rams in the NFC Championship Game.

Lance is a Christian and was a leader of his local Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter in high school. His younger brother Bryce enrolled at North Dakota State in 2021 to play wide receiver for the Bison.