San Francisco 49ers 2021 Ahead of the
2021 NFL draft, most analysts predicted Lance or
Alabama quarterback
Mac Jones would be taken third overall by the
San Francisco 49ers, who traded up with the
Miami Dolphins in exchange for their first-round picks in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and their third-round pick in 2022. The 49ers selected Lance, making him their first first-round quarterback since
Alex Smith in
2005 and the second-highest drafted
FCS player after fellow
NDSU quarterback
Carson Wentz. Considered a top quarterback prospect in the draft, Lance was one of five quarterbacks taken in the first round. He signed his four-year rookie contract, worth $34.1 million, on July 28, 2021. 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. Lance was used in one play during the first quarter, in which he contributed to the eventual 41–33 road victory by throwing a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Trent Sherfield. Two weeks later against the
Green Bay Packers, Lance took the field for two plays and scored a rushing touchdown in the first as the 49ers narrowly lost by a score of 30–28. During a Week 4 28–21 loss to the
Seattle Seahawks, Lance saw his first significant playing time when he relieved an injured Garoppolo in the second half. Lance completed nine of 18 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns and rushed seven times for 41 yards and a two-point conversion. 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 and an interception while also rushing 16 times for 89 yards in the 17–10 road loss. Following the game, it was announced Lance suffered a sprained knee. The injury made him unavailable for the Week 7 matchup against the
Indianapolis Colts, with
Nate Sudfeld replacing Lance as the second option behind a returning Garoppolo. Lance returned as Garoppolo's backup during the next week's 33–22 victory over the
Chicago Bears. 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 road victory. Lance remained the second-string quarterback for the next five weeks until Garoppolo suffered a thumb injury during a 20–17 road 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 during the 23–7 victory, earning Lance his first career win. Lance's start marked his final appearance in 2021 after Garoppolo returned for the regular season finale against the
Los Angeles Rams. Lance held a backup role during the 49ers' playoff run, which concluded with a road loss to the Rams in the
NFC Championship Game. Following the season, Lance revealed he spent the year battling a right index finger injury he suffered in a preseason game against the
Las Vegas Raiders.
2022 Lance was named the starter over Garoppolo for the season, but only appeared in two games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury against the Seahawks in Week 2 that required surgery. His only full game of the season was the season opener against the Bears, where he completed 13-of-28 passes for 164 yards and an interception in a 19–10 road loss.
2023 Lance entered the 2023 training camp on uncertain terms due to his limited play with the 49ers and the success of second-year quarterback
Brock Purdy the previous season, who helped lead the 49ers to the
2022 NFC Championship Game. Ahead of the season, Lance was named the third-string backup behind Purdy and free agent acquisition
Sam Darnold, which led to further speculation over his future in San Francisco. Lance completed 22-of-33 passes for 285 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while playing in San Francisco's first two preseason games against the
Las Vegas Raiders and
Denver Broncos; he did not play in the team's final preseason game against the
Los Angeles Chargers.
Dallas Cowboys 2023 season On August 26, 2023, Lance was traded to the
Dallas Cowboys for a 2024 fourth-round pick (
Malik Mustapha). He was later named the third-string quarterback and was a healthy scratch the whole season.
2024 season On May 1, 2024, the Cowboys declined the fifth-year option on Lance's contract, making him a free agent after the 2024 season. During the preseason, Lance saw the most action at quarterback in place of starter
Dak Prescott and backup
Cooper Rush. During a 26–19 preseason loss to the
Los Angeles Chargers, Lance completed 33 of 49 passes for 323 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted five times. After Prescott suffered a season-ending injury in Week 9, Lance was elevated to the backup role behind Rush. He made his Cowboys regular season debut the following week against the
Philadelphia Eagles, replacing an ineffective Rush in the fourth quarter. In his first regular season action since 2022, Lance completed four of six passes for 21 yards, but was sacked on his first play, and threw an interception. The Cowboys started Lance in the season finale against the
Washington Commanders, where he had 244 passing yards during the 23–19 loss.
Los Angeles Chargers On April 4, 2025, Lance signed a one-year $2,000,000 contract with the
Los Angeles Chargers with $1.5 million guaranteed. He backed up
Justin Herbert for the 2025 season, but started the final game of the regular season against the
Denver Broncos while Herbert was resting for the playoffs. In the 19–3 loss, Lance completed 20 of 44 passes for 134 yards and had an interception returned by
Ja'Quan McMillian for a touchdown; he also led the Chargers in rushing yards with 69. On March 14, 2026, Lance re-signed with the Chargers on a one-year, $6.75 million contract. ==Career statistics==