Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy reiterated on Thursday at organized team activities that he's "definitely" seen significant progress from backup quarterback Trey Lance. "Now starting to get the timing with the routes. He's close to being a master of the system. He has a really high understanding. He just needs as many reps as he can," McCarthy said. Despite the Cowboys unsurprisingly declining Lance's fifth-year option this offseason, they have liked what they've seen from the former first-round pick (third overall) heading into his second season with the team. The 24-year-old signal-caller has lost most of his dynasty/keeper appeal at this point after not playing a single snap for Dallas in 2023 while sitting behind Dak Prescott. Unless Prescott misses time with an injury that forces Lance into the fold in 2024, he'll be off the redraft radar.
The Dallas Cowboys are excited to work with backup quarterback Trey Lance this summer after trading for him before the 2023 season. Lance served as the No. 3 behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush last year and didn't play a single snap in his first year in Dallas. He hasn't played in a game since a preseason game on Aug. 19 of last year with the San Francisco 49ers. His last time in a regular season game came on Sept. 18 of 2022 in Week 2. Lance will enter training camp this year competing with Rush for the backup job. "We're excited to see him," executive vice president Stephen Jones said of Lance. "He's done nothing but impress around here. He's a pro, he works his ass off. No one gets to see him, because he hasn't been on the field (because) we got him late. But we're going to get to see him." Unless Prescott misses time with an injury in 2024, Lance will be off the fantasy radar.
The Dallas Cowboys will decline to pick up the fifth-year option on quarterback Trey Lance, according to a source. The move isn't a surprise at all after the decision was essentially made last August when Dallas acquired him from the San Francisco 49ers for a 2024 fourth-round pick. Lance's 2025 option would have cost the Cowboys a fully guaranteed $22.4 million. The Cowboys don't have a QB on their roster signed beyond the 2024 season, with Dak Prescott, Lance and Cooper Rush all set for unrestricted free agency next March. They cannot use the franchise tag on Prescott and haven't started serious talks on an extension. Lance will make $5.31 million in base salary in 2024 as part of the fully guaranteed, $34.1 million deal he signed with the Niners as the third overall pick in 2021. Dallas liked the progress Lance made in 2023, but he was inactive for every game.
Trey Lance To Stay In Dallas In 2024, But Fifth-Year Option Declined
The Dallas Cowboys will pick up quarterback Trey Lance's $4.25 million roster bonus for the 2024 season, but they also elected not to pick up his fifth-year option for 2025. The Cowboys acquired Lance from the San Francisco 49ers during training camp last summer, but the former first-rounder didn't play as a single snap in his first year with the Cowboys behind starter Dak Prescott, who had a career year. The 23-year-old will now return as Prescott's backup next season, but he'll likely be on the free-agent market next offseason since the Cowboys understandably didn't want anything to do with his $22.4 million fifth-year option for 2025. Unless Prescott misses extensive time with an injury in 2024, Lance won't be worth rostering in fantasy.
The Dallas Cowboys acquired former third overall pick, quarterback Trey Lance, from the San Francisco 49ers on Friday in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick, according to sources. The writing was on the wall for Lance to find a new home after the Niners announced Sam Darnold as Brock Purdy's backup earlier this week. The Cowboys have Dak Prescott locked in as their starter under center, but the presence of Lance will put some pressure on him to bounce back from a frustrating season in 2022. For now, the 23-year-old Lance will try to continue improving while battling with Cooper Rush for the backup job in his new digs. Until further notice, Lance remains off the fantasy radar in redraft leagues, and his long-term appeal may have only slightly improved with the move to Dallas.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Thursday that the "most likely" result is that quarterback Trey Lance will remain on the team to begin the regular season as the No. 3 QB behind starter Brock Purdy and backup Sam Darnold. Lance is back at the team's facility on Thursday and is going to see action in the preseason finale on Friday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Niners named Darnold the backup on Wednesday and also said they were exploring all possibilities with Lance, leading many to believe he'd be traded. The 23-year-old's long-term fantasy value would probably look better with a change of scenery, but he could also see starts this year if Purdy or Darnold are injured or play poorly.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he wants quarterback Trey Lance to come into the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Los Angeles Chargers after Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold. The Niners named Darnold the backup to Purdy on Wednesday, leaving Lance to open the year as the third-stringer if they keep him on the roster. It sounds as though the 49ers will consider trading Lance before the start of the season if they can find a deal to their liking. The former third overall pick will get one last audition for interested teams this Friday. The 23-year-old's fantasy stock is obviously way down entering the 2023 season, but perhaps a trade to a QB-needy team will make him more interesting once again.
The San Francisco 49ers named quarterback Sam Darnold the No. 2 QB behind starter Brock Purdy on Wednesday, and the team is now exploring their options with Trey Lance, according to sources. The future of the third overall pick in 2021 is now unclear with San Francisco. Both Darnold and Lance have been talked up this offseason, but Darnold has impressed the coaching staff more throughout training camp and the preseason, so he'll begin the 2023 regular season in the backup role. The Niners could dangle the 23-year-old Lance in trade talks to see what they can get, and at this point, Lance's long-term fantasy appeal probably looks much brighter away from the Bay Area. If he sticks in San Fran this year, he'll need a couple injuries or poor performance from Purdy and Darnold to get an extended shot under center.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance looked comfortable and decisive in Saturday's 21-20 preseason win against the Denver Broncos. He took the bulk of the snaps and turned in a 12-for-18 performance for 173 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. He was far from perfect and probably should have had another interception, but he also made some impressive throws. Lance is slated to back up starter Brock Purdy, but he could emerge as a useful fantasy option if Purdy gets injured or loses the job.
Trey Lance Has Uneven Performance In Preseason Opener
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance drew the start against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday and turned in an uneven performance. With starter Brock Purdy inactive as he works his way back from offseason elbow surgery, Lance was given the keys to the offense for the entire first half. He went 10-for-15 for 112 yards and a nine-yard touchdown pass to reserve tight end Ross Dwelley. Lance also carried the ball once for two yards. The former first-rounder looked overmatched and indecisive in his first three drives, being sacked three times and completing only two passes. It's worth noting that San Francisco started an offensive line comprised entirely of second-teamers. Lance moved the ball better in subsequent drives. His lone touchdown punctuated his fourth possession but should have been intercepted, as it was intended for receiver Chris Conley but deflected off a defender's hands to Dwelley. However, Lance should be given credit for the play before, flashing a nifty Mahomes-esque escape act and sidearm flip to receiver Willie Snead IV for a first down. While Sunday's performance won't do much to threaten Purdy's starting job, Lance could emerge as an intriguing option should Purdy's recovery not go as planned, especially in superflex formats.
