The Dallas Cowboys recently traded a fourth-round pick for former San Francisco 49ers QB Trey Lance. Reportedly, the Detroit Lions, among other teams, were in the mix for Lance and now must answer questions surrounding their interest in the former No. 3 overall pick.
The QB landscape can be a sensitive market. Any move can upset an incumbent starter and disrupt team chemistry to the point that even alleged interest in a quarterback of Lance’s name recognition raises eyebrows, resulting in questions. Detroit GM Brad Holmes is a straight-shooter with the media and explained his position.
What Did Brad Holmes Say Regarding Interest in Trey Lance?
When the 49ers signed QB Sam Darnold, it began months-long speculation that San Francisco would trade Lance. Although they ended up sending him to the Cowboys, earlier this offseason, the Lions were floated as an organization that made sense for Lance.
Brad Holmes: Lions never reached out to 49ers about Trey Lance. https://t.co/SFbfoFnlFW
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 1, 2023
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Lions were teams who expressed interest in Lance. However, Holmes distanced himself from the reports.
“The Trey Lance thing, in particular, I never reached out. I never inquired about the player or anything. I think the report was that us and some other teams were like, in that group of being interested. But I never actively pursued the player. I can’t speak to the accuracy of the reports.”
If we are decoding Holmes’ statement, there appears to be some interest from Detroit. The Lions GM may never have reached out or pursued the player personally, but that doesn’t mean someone else within the organization didn’t connect with the 49ers regarding Lance’s availability.
If the Lions had no contact with San Francisco at all, Holmes would have said so and called these reports a flat-out lie, but that’s not what he said.
Should the Lions Have Interest in Upgrading Their QB Room?
Reportedly, the Lions and current starting QB Jared Goff are engaging in contract extension talks to keep their signal-caller in Detroit for several more years. The Lions also drafted Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
At pick No. 68 in round three, the Detroit Lions select Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker.
Lions’ QB Jared Goff has two years left on his contract. None of the money in 2024 is guaranteed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2023
Under Goff, the Lions are turning into a top-10 offense in the league, and if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Detroit appears content with the veteran under center, and they now have a protege in-house to develop if things go sour with Goff. The QB room can always be better, so this may not be the last time the Lions are connected to an available quarterback.
