The San Francisco 49yr have exchanged quarterback Trey Lance with the Dallas Cowboys in return for a fourth-round draft pick.

The San Francisco 49yr have exchanged quarterback Trey Lance with the Dallas Cowboys in return for a fourth-round draft pick

The Dallas Cowboys in return for a fourth-round draft pick.

The Dallas Cowboys are set to acquire quarterback Trey Lance from the San Francisco 49ers, according to a report by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Friday.

As part of the trade, the 49ers will gain a 2024 fourth-round draft pick in exchange for Lance, as stated by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.

Previously, the 49ers had moved up in the 2021 NFL Draft, using three first-round picks to secure the third overall pick and select Lance. However, this week, the team announced that Lance would be placed as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart. This decision came after Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold competed for the backup role, with Darnold ultimately winning.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his belief that Lance still had potential for success in the future, whether with the 49ers or another team.

Lance’s time with the 49ers saw limited playing opportunities due to injuries. Over two years and eight games, he recorded the fewest games played by a top-five pick for the team since the NFL’s common draft era began in 1967.

With this trade, Lance will embark on a fresh start with the Dallas Cowboys. However, the 49ers will only recoup a fraction of their investment in Lance, who was once seen as the franchise’s future.

Lance’s history with the 49ers included setbacks like a finger break and knee sprain in his first season, followed by an ankle break early in the 2022 season. These events allowed Brock Purdy to step into the starting role.

During his time with the 49ers, Lance’s record as a starter was 2-2, amassing 797 passing yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Looking ahead, the focus turns to Lance’s role within the Cowboys’ quarterback depth chart. Dak Prescott remains the starting quarterback, supported by backups Cooper Rush and Will Grier. Lance is expected to be the third-string quarterback, with potential for further development, according to Rapoport.

At 23 years old, Lance’s new team is taking a calculated risk, hoping he can live up to the potential he was initially seen to possess. The trade will bring Lance a guaranteed $6.25 million over the next two seasons, with the possibility of a fifth-year option for the Cowboys.

 What role is Trey Lance expected to play for the Cowboys?

The Cowboys approached this season with Prescott as their starting quarterback, supported by veteran backup Cooper Rush and 2019 third-round pick Will Grier. Lance’s arrival disrupts this established setup.

With just a fortnight left before the Cowboys’ season opener versus the New York Giants on September 10th, it’s improbable for Lance to immediately assume the backup role. What sets the third-string position apart in Dallas is that Lance might have a more promising path to success than he would’ve had in San Francisco.

Lance could potentially take on backup duties as the season progresses. It’s noteworthy that Prescott: a) is 30 years old, b) missed five games due to a thumb injury last season, and c) might become a free agent after the 2024 season as per Overhead. The Cowboys’ interest in Lance isn’t solely driven by the need to enhance their backup situation this season. According to NFL Network’s Jane Slater, Lance was identified as a second-round draft prospect in 2021 by the team.

Several factors need to align before considering Lance as the Cowboys’ starter in 2025. However, he’ll now have the opportunity to compete without the looming pressure of three past first-round picks.