Following a professional debut highlighted by an 80-yard touchdown pass last week against Kansas City, soon-to-be San Francisco 49ers starter Trey Lance, whenever that may be, proved efficient during his elongated stay under center against the Los Angeles Chargers in his second game as a 49er.

Despite a night that ultimately developed into a showcase of his rocket arm and elite dual-threat mobility, Lance’s appearance initially got off to a rocky start following a tipped-pass interception off the hands of Mohamed Sanu and into the arms of a ranging Los Angeles defender. While drops have been an issue for 49ers wideouts thus far through the summer, Lance showed composure in organizing the offense following the pick, leading San Francisco to a five-point lead before grabbing the clipboard for the rest of the evening.

During his two-plus quarters of play, Lance completed eight of his 14 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns (and the previously mentioned interception). His skill set was on full display, maneuvering both inside and outside the pocket, executing at a high level within a Kyle Shanahan offense where much is asked of its quarterback’s diagnostic ability both pre-snap and while under fire.

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His first flash of the night came via a familiar face in boundary speedster Trent Sherfield. Following their aforementioned 80-yard hookup in Week 1 of the preseason, Lance found Sherfield in a similar spot, streaking down the right sideline untouched for what resulted in a 41-yard completion; a connection that lit a fuse under Lance and the entire San Francisco offense.

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Following a masterful six-play, 75-yard drive, Lance capped off the offensive series before the end of the half with a strike to Sanu on a quick five-yard in-route. As the Chargers sat in man coverage deep in the red zone, Lance and the 49ers countered with an empty set. An offensive concept that could become awfully popular due to Lance’s ability to both distribute the football through the air and create on the ground with a powerful lower half, his hookup with Sanu was about as easy as it gets inside the 10-yard line.

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You want ball placement and zip? Lance is just showing off here.

A drive that took nearly seven minutes off the clock, this play offers a deep dive into the progression Lance has made in studying the ever-developing playbook of Shanahan, and his ability to read and react during live snaps. A knock on Lance entering the pro game was how slow his adaptation could prove to be in learning a professional playbook, and how, in turn, that would affect his overall ability to execute an NFL offense at just 21 years old. Entering the NFL via FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, through two games, Lance has done an excellent job in staying balanced in his lower-half, quick with his eyes, and true with his throws, zipping the rock into wideouts’ chests with ease through two weeks.

From the snap, Lance initially gives the look he wants to target tight end MyCole Pruitt (No. 84), but in reality, his eyes were shaded over the middle the entire length of the play. By shifting his feet and shoulders toward Pruitt, Lance was able to hold the ranging middle linebacker just enough to then quickly flip his hips and deliver a strike to Travis Benjamin on a crossing route for six.

Just two games in, Lance has proven he not only belongs but has everything he can to tighten the race between him and Garoppolo as to who will ultimately earn the starting nod come Week 1 in Detroit. As more snaps come and Lance is able to showcase his ability even further, Shanahan’s ultimate decision under center has become just that more intriguing just weeks away from kick-off thanks to the play of his first-round quarterback.