Cowboys Make Pivotal Decision on Trey Lance’s Future

When the San Francisco 49ers traded three first-round picks to move up in the 2021 NFL Draft, they were hoping to secure the future of the franchise. With three quarterbacks to choose from (Justin Fields, Mac Jones, and Trey Lance), the 49ers spent weeks studying film and interviewing each candidate. While reports indicate the team traded up with the intention to select Jones, a flight back from Fields’ pro day changed everything.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers

According to general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan was drawing up plays for Lance on the plane ride back after seeing Fields in person. Enamored with what Lance could do in the offense, the 49ers selected the North Dakota product with the third-overall pick.
The move instantly sparked fascination as to what Lance’s skillset could bring to the 49ers. Unfortunately, as soon as Lance hit the field, reality set in. Plagued with throwing mechanic issues, leading to inaccuracies, along with the normal rookie struggles, Lance rarely showed signs of a top-three pick.

After starting just one game in 2021, the team was ready to hand Lance the keys to the franchise in 2022. Yet, an ugly Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears and a broken foot suffered in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks signified another lost season for the former first-round pick.

With the emergence of Brock Purdy, Lance had to battle Sam Darnold for the backup quarterback job during the 2023 offseason. He struggled during Training Camp and preseason, inevitably resulting in a trade to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Two years later, Lance will be searching for his third team just five years into his NFL career.

Lance’s Time with the Cowboys Over?

According to Stephen Jones, the Dallas Cowboys chief operating officer and co-owner, Trey Lance is not expected to return in 2025.

“We took a shot a Trey and wanted to do that,” Jones told The Dallas Morning Newsat the scouting combine. “We think the world of Trey, but us having Dak signed up for the long-term, I think he’s probably going to be looking for something different.”

The Dallas Cowboys acquired Lance from San Francisco 18 months ago, before the team’s final preseason game. His only full offseason and training camp with Dallas came last season.

Lance played in just four games and had one start with the Cowboys. He completed 25 of 41 passes for 266 yards with one interception and was sacked four times. He rushed for 41 yards on 11 carries.

49ers Survived the Lance Trade

A 49ers reunion with Trey Lance is unlikely, as the quarterback needs legitimate playing time. As Purdy prepares to receive a lucrative contract extension, he makes the Lance era feel like a small bump in the road. Although, the three first-round draft picks could have come in handy while playing in the Super Bowl last season. Maybe San Francisco would have seen a different outcome had they not made the franchise-altering trade for Lance.

Yet somehow, the 49ers survived the misstep and were able to recoup high-potential talent.

With the fourth-round pick acquired by trading Lance, the San Francisco 49ers selected safety Malik Mustapha. In his rookie season, Mustapha totaled 72 tackles and one interception. The Wake Forest product also finished as a top-15 Rookie of the Year finalist. Among defenders to play 10 games, Mustapha possesses the seventh-highest grade on the 49ers, per Pro Football Focus.

Outside of first-overall pick Trevor Lawrence, every other 2021 first-round pick quarterback will be a free agent this offseason.

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Cowboys Make Pivotal Decision on Trey Lance’s Future

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