In an NFL landscape where quarterback talent can make or break a team’s season, the Dallas Cowboys’ decision to trade for Trey Lance has stirred quite a debate. With a resume significantly lighter than his peers from the 2021 NFL Draft, Lance’s journey from a potential franchise leader to a questionable investment casts a long shadow over his future with the Cowboys.
A Rocky Start and a Questionable Future
Back in 2021, five quarterbacks were snatched up early in the draft, with high expectations placed upon them. Among these, Trevor Lawrence was the standout, having his fifth-year option picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Meanwhile, Trey Lance, despite being a top pick for the San Francisco 49ers, only appeared in eight games before being traded. This move left many questioning the hefty price paid by the 49ers and now by the Cowboys.
The trade itself saw Dallas relinquishing a 2024 fourth-round pick for Lance, a decision that has become even more dubious as the team declined to pick up his fifth-year option.
This choice would have guaranteed Lance a $22.4 million contract for 2025, but the Cowboys, perhaps wary of their salary cap and other fiscal responsibilities, opted out. This year, Lance will earn a base salary of $5.31 million, relatively modest for an NFL quarterback.
Trey Lance High Cost of Low Experience
What makes Lance’s trade particularly perplexing is his limited experience. Before joining the NFL, he had only 99 pass attempts in high school and 318 in college, a stark contrast to his peers.
This lack of game-time exposure has translated into minimal impact in the professional arena, with Lance inactive for all games last season and only slated for preseason play this year.
The cost of acquiring Lance—both the original price paid by the 49ers and the subsequent investment by the Cowboys—raises concerns. The 49ers gave up three first-round picks to draft him, which in hindsight, seems an exorbitant fee for a player who has yet to prove himself on the field.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, might have utilized their fourth-round pick to address more pressing needs, especially given their tight salary cap situation and the departure of long-time left tackle Tyron Smith.
Limited Upside in a Competitive Roster
With Dak Prescott firmly established as a premier quarterback and Cooper Rush as a reliable backup, Lance’s chances of seeing significant playtime are slim.
This situation begs the question of the real value Lance brings to the Cowboys, particularly when resources could have been allocated toward enhancing other positions or securing future talent through the draft.
When the Niners whiff trading three 1sts for Trey Lance but find Brock Purdy with the last pick in the Draft. pic.twitter.com/qt4LR5UKUi
— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) April 29, 2024
A Faint Silver Lining?
While it’s challenging to applaud the 49ers for their initial gamble, they did manage to recoup a fourth-round pick in the trade with Dallas. This return, albeit small, might offer some consolation as they managed to salvage something from a trade sequence that started with high hopes and ended with unmet expectations.
Dallas Cowboys’ Final Thoughts
As the Cowboys navigate the upcoming season, the decision to invest in Trey Lance will undoubtedly be scrutinized. Will this gamble pay off, or will it serve as a cautionary tale for NFL teams striving to balance between potential and proven talent?
Only time will tell, but for now, the trade grades lean towards the questionable, reflecting the high risks associated with betting on a player like Lance, whose path to NFL relevance remains fraught with uncertainty.
