The Dallas Cowboys made a gamble when they sent a fourth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for quarterback Trey Lance. It was seen as a worthwhile investment in a potential lottery ticket, but it didn't take long to come to the realization that Lance wouldn't pan out.
Lance signed a one-year pact with the Chargers this offseason following a two-year stint with the Cowboys. The former No. 3 overall pick is hoping to get his career off the ground, but he will have to prove himself under a hard-nosed head coach like Jim Harbaugh.
Unfortunately for Lance, his performance in offseason workouts has left something to be desired. The following quote from [The Athletic's Daniel Popper](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6417859/2025/06/10/chargers-minicamp-rashawn-slater-derwin-james/) will sound familiar to Cowboys fans.
" ... And rookie safety Jaylen Jones picked off an ill-advised off-platform throw from quarterback Trey Lance, who has been trading off with (D.J.) Uiagalelei as the third-string quarterback. Rookie right end Oronde Gadsden was coming open on a corner route. Lance was drifting to his left, and the ball was severely underthrown ... "
Ex-Cowboys QB Trey Lance is having familiar struggles with the Chargers
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An "ill-advised off-platform throw" sounds about right.
Cowboys fans' lasting memory of Lance is his last start for the team when he tossed five interceptions in the final preseason game last year.
It was Lance's last chance to stake his claim for the backup job behind Dak Prescott, though many believed Cooper Rush won the battle before that game kicked off, and he couldn't help but give the ball to the other team. That happened to be the Chargers. How's that for irony?
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Lance said all of the right things during his Cowboys tenure and team reporters spoke highly of his character. When push came to shove on the football field, though, he didn't pull his weight.
That isn't to fully absolve Dallas of blame.
Trading for an unproven quarterback who had his 2022 season wiped out due to a gruesome ankle injury was a massive roll of the dice by Jerry Jones and the front office. There is no doubt that Lance arrived in Dallas short on confidence. The 49ers traded a king's ransom to select him No. 3 overall in 2021 and he was traded before his third year. That is a lot to reckon with.
One bad throw in minicamp doesn't mean Lance will flame out with the Bolts. However, it is not a good sign for his progression as he looks to ascend up the QB depth chart.
If Lance doesn't impress in training camp, he might be headed for another year as a team's emergency third-string quarterback.