Chargers rout Lions in Hall of Fame Game behind strong Trey Lance performance in preseason opener

Former Denver Broncos lineman Mark Schlereth tees off on analytics during an appearance on OutKick’s "Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich."

The Los Angeles Chargers kicked off its 2025 NFL preseason with a beatdown over the Detroit Lions, 34-7, in the Hall of Fame Game. 

With the league honoring those entering the great Pro Football Hall of Fame across the street in Canton, Ohio, it was Trey Lance, the third overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, putting on a show for his new Chargers squad. 

Justin Herbert is the starting quarterback for the Chargers, and he didn’t suit up as is custom this early in the season. But Lance is in a battle for the backup position, and he made quite the impression on head coach Jim Harbaugh with his performance on Thursday night. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance (5) throws in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Scott Galvin/Imagn Images)

After the opening kickoff ended up as a fumble by the Lions, Lance needed five plays to go 28 yards for a 4th-and-2 touchdown pass to Will Dissly to get the first touchdown of the year on the board for Los Angeles. 

Lance would find the end zone again later in the first half, as he rifled a slant pass to rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith, the fifth-rounder out of Auburn, who sped into the end zone to make it 21-7 in favor of the Chargers. 

TEXANS STAR JOE MIXON'S PRESEASON IN JEOPARDY DUE TO LATEST INJURY SETBACK

Los Angeles scored a second touchdown in the first quarter after rookie cornerback Nikko Reed picked off Lions quarterback Kyle Allen and almost took it to the house for a very memorable moment in his first taste of NFL action. Two plays later, Kimani