Trey Lance trade details: Revisiting 2023 preseason deal that sent former No. 3 pick from 49ers to Cowboys

Trey Lance has gotten pretty used to sitting in the QB3 spot over the years, but his luck might finally be shifting. 

With lead man Dak Prescott out for the season with a hamstring injury, Lance has moved up to the backup quarterback position. That could also change quickly, as Cooper Rush isn't running a very convincing campaign for the top slot right now. 

Dallas lost 34-6 to the Eagles in Week 10 with Rush leading the offense. Though he's confirmed to be taking the field again for 'Monday Night Football,' another dismal performance could seriously bring Lance into the discussion. 

So, how did Lance get here?

Let's take a look back at the 2023 preseason deal that landed the former No. 3 draft pick in Dallas. 

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Trey Lance trade details 

Back in 2021, the San Francisco 49ers put all their chips on the table to acquire a young Trey Lance in the draft. 

The Niners had a solid starter in Jimmy Garoppolo at the time, but they felt that Lance had the potential to be a franchise quarterback. They sent their 2021, 2022, and 2023 first-round picks, as well as a 2022 third-round pick, to the Dolphins in order to trade up to the No. 3 pick. 

Ultimately, the risk didn't pan out for San Francisco. Lance ended up making just four starts in his first two seasons and missed most of his second year with an ankle injury. In August of 2023, Brock Purdy worked his way into the top spot and Sam Darnold was made backup, putting Lance in the QB3 position.

Just days later, it was announced that Lance would be packing his bags.

The Cowboys sent a fourth-round draft pick to the 49ers in exchange for the quarterback despite already having depth in Cooper Rush.

For the past year, Lance has been idle in the No. 3 spot, but with Prescott out and Rush struggling, there's potential for him to start.

Trey Lance contract details

Earlier this summer, the Cowboys declined to sign Lance's fifth-year option, so Lance will be a free agent after this season along with Rush. Lance is currently on Dallas' books for $5.31 million.

Prescott signed a four-year $240 million extension with Dallas at the start of the 2024 season.

For now, it looks like Dallas will seek out new backups as the Cowboys move into 2025.

Dallas Cowboys QB depth chart