He was selected by the Jets in the 3rd round (#69 overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft. He was named to the Pro Bowl in (1985).
Mehl was the leading tackler for the unbeaten 1978 Nittany Lion team. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education from Penn State University in 1980.
According to Lance Mehl's 1984 Topps football card #153 Lance was the Jets leading interceptor in 1983. Lance is perhaps the club's most consistent defensive player. Recorded 10 tackles in 44-17 playoff win at Cincinnati Jan-9th-1983 As a bit of "Did You Know" the card saids "Lance once worked in the coal mines of Ohio"
Lance Mehl wore the number #56 while playing for the New York Jets