The embattled No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is headed to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Ian Rapoport added that the Cowboys would take on the rest of the third-year quarterback’s salary.
This marks the end of the Lance experiment in San Francisco. After sending a cornucopia of picks for the No. 3 spot in the draft two years ago, the Niners selected Lance in the hopes of turning him and his raw athletic talent into a bona fide NFL starter. Through a combination of injuries and the emergence of Brock Purdy, his opportunities to reach those heights, at least in San Francisco, faded fast.
Lance got two starts in as a rookie back in 2021, throwing five touchdowns against two interceptions. He was named the 49ers’ starting quarterback heading into his sophomore season. Unfortunately, Lance suffered a season-ending injury early in San Francisco’s Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks. He entered training camp battling with the aforementioned Darnold to be Purdy’s top backup. Relegated to third-team duties, it made sense for the 49ers to trade Lance.
Lance’s four starts will be the fewest for any quarterback taken in the top five of the draft in the common draft era for the team he made his debut. Jack Thompson had the previous low after starting five games for Cincinnati after being taken third overall in 1979.
The Cowboys now get a look at Lance, who is owed $940,000 this year and is guaranteed $5.3m next season in the final year of his rookie deal.
Cooper Rush has been the backup most of Dak Prescott’s career in Dallas, including last season when he went 4-1 filling in after Prescott broke his thumb in the opener.
The trade appears to be the end of the line for Will Grier, who has been the third-stringer the past two seasons without appearing in a game.
Maybe it's not as juicy a headline, but the real story is plenty interesting. The Cowboys saw a unique opportunity to acquire a rare talent at the game's most important position — and for a low cost. If it works out, Trey Lance becomes a hell of an asset for half a dozen different reasons: gadget player, backup quarterback, trade bait, eventual compensatory pick — perhaps even a starter. If it fails it's a minor footnote, a decision no one should blame them for making.
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