While the future of Dak Prescott hovers over the Dallas Cowboys, owner and general manager Jerry Jones believes his team is in good hands outside of their veteran starting quarterback.
By Jones’ words, Trey Lance became everything he and Dallas hoped for — pointing to a lengthy future with the Cowboys for the No. 3 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
“Arrow Is Really Up” on Trey Lance, Jerry Jones Says
Speaking with Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News Friday, Jones described the trajectory of the one-time top-five pick he traded for ahead of the 2023 season.
“The arrow is really up,” Jones began while giving a “thumbs up” sign.
Jones sounds impressed with the attitude and work ethic of the quarterback heading toward his second season with the franchise.
“He’s exceeded expectations as a person, as a worker, as a character and he’s got unique skills.”
The trade of Lance from the San Francisco 49ers to the Cowboys was surprising. Originally drafted to become the heir apparent to Jimmy Garoppolo in the Bay Area, Lance eventually lost the starting job to Brock Purdy in 2022 while sidelined by a season-ending ankle injury.
Purdy, the 2022 seventh-round pick, has since guided San Francisco to back-to-back NFC title game appearances. Purdy recently came close to helping the Niners knock off the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 before falling in overtime.
How Lance Trade Comes in To Play for 2024 Draft
Lance’s name gets brought up for another reason: His tie-in to the 2024 NFL Draft.
After it was discovered Lance wouldn’t be the QB1 in San Fran, the 49ers made the deal with their longtime playoff nemesis to send the one-time third overall pick to Dallas. In exchange, the 49ers received a fourth-round selection they can use this April.
The Lance trade gives S.F. pick No. 125 in the fourth round. San Francisco additionally holds the 133rd overall selection in that round, two of their seven Day 3 picks. The 49ers hold 11 draft picks in total.
But on the Cowboys’ side of the equation, the team seems content with what it got out of the deal after the opportunity to observe Lance’s work ethic and trajectory.
“He’s very much what we had planned on, hoped for when we gave the pick,” Jones said. “When we gave the pick, we knew we’d be paying the bonus by now…which it was part of the same decision. But that’s been reinforced by what he’s been to the team.”
Jones adds that he doesn’t know all that transpired at practices with the 49ers that may have propelled the trade. But what he does know is what he’s seen out of Lance during the Cowboys’ practice sessions.
“It’s a plus,” Jones said.
It’s a strong endorsement for Lance coming from the main man who helped sign off on the move to bring him over. But now it points to this: A possible looming battle between Lance and fan favorite Cooper Rush for the No. 2 spot behind Prescott.
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Jones concludes he’s expecting that competition to happen when the Cowboys report to training camp in Oxnard come July.
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