Since being drafted 3rd overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Trey Lance has been unable to find his footing in the NFL. Now at 24 years old, there were rumors he was leaving the league altogether for a fresh start in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Here’s what you need to know about the rumors and why they made sense—before he signed with the Chargers.
A Career Full of Potential but Limited Opportunities
Lance was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with high expectations, as they traded away valuable draft capital to get him. Initially thought to be the heir apparent to Jimmy Garoppolo , Lance’s career took a sharp turn after he suffered a serious ankle injury in 2022. That opened the door for Brock Purdy and he hasn’t looked back since.
In 2024, Lance was traded to the Dallas Cowboys where he was a backup to Dak Prescott. He saw limited action, throwing just 143 passes in 4 seasons. It was clear opportunities to prove himself as an NFL starter were scarce. With free agency looming, questions arose if Lance could find a future in the league or if he’d have to look elsewhere.
Why the CFL Made Sense for Trey Lance?
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have added Lance to their negotiation list, according to TSN Football Insider Dave Naylor. This wasn’t random; CFL teams don’t add players to their lists “just to make noise”. The connection goes deep—Lance’s dad Carlton Lance played one season for the Roughriders as a corner back before joining the London Monarchs of the World League.
For Trey, signing with Saskatchewan could have been a chance to follow in his dad’s footsteps and restart his football career.
A Fresh Start and Playing Time
One of the biggest draws of the CFL for Lance was the chance to finally be a starter. Since leaving North Dakota State, where he went 16-0 as a starter in 2019, Lance has yet to get consistent playing time in the NFL. In college, he showed off his dual threat ability, throwing 28 touchdowns, rushing for 14 more and not throwing an interception.
Joining the CFL would have given Lance the opportunity to rebuild his confidence and show the world why he was considered a top prospect.
Lance’s Decision to Stay in the NFL
Lance opted to stay in the NFL, where he’ll sign a one-year deal worth up to $6.2 million with the Los Angeles Chargers. That’s according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. He’ll be backing up Justin Herbert, one of the league’s brightest young stars—and providing depth and experience to boot.
That move keeps Lance in the NFL for now. But the CFL remains an option down the line if he can’t secure a starting job in the future.
Understanding the CFL Negotiation List
The CFL lets teams put up to 45 players on their negotiation lists. That gives them the exclusive right to talk to those players about contracts. Being on that list doesn’t guarantee the player will be interested, but it means only the team holding their rights can discuss a deal.
Teams have to disclose 10 players from their lists twice a year. The other 35 names are kept confidential between the team and the league. Lance being on the Roughriders’ list meant they had first dibs if he decided to pursue a CFL career.