The once-promising Trey Lance era in San Francisco is officially over.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers have traded the No. 3 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft to the rival Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round draft choice.
Lance appeared to be on borrowed time in San Francisco after the 49ers named Sam Darnold the second-string quarterback behind starter Brock Purdy. Sure enough, the North Dakota State product is given a fresh start for another NFC juggernaut.
Dak Prescott unquestionably remains the starting quarterback on Dallas’ roster, with second-stringer Cooper Rush right behind him. Will Grier is the third-stringer for now, though the arrival of Lance may put his roster spot in jeopardy.
Two years ago, the 49ers gave up four draft picks (including first-rounders in 2021, 2022 and 2023) to the Miami Dolphins so they could move up into the No. 3 spot. The 49ers wound up selecting Lance, right after Zach Wilson went second overall to the New York Jets.
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The 23-year-old Lance opened the 2022 season as the 49ers’ starting quarterback, but he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. Second-stringer Jimmy Garoppolo regained the starting duties before going down with a season-ending foot injury 11 weeks later.
Third-stringer Brock Purdy took over the offense and won all five of his starts, leading the club to the NFC Championship Game last season. Purdy’s strong play not only earned him the the starting job, but it prompted the 49ers to quickly give up on someone they once viewed as the future of their franchise.
