SANTA CLARA – Tre Lance’s 49-year tenure didn’t pan out.
And that was clear. And 49ers general manager John Lynch on Friday night addressed the trade of Lance, the No. 3 pick overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, to the Dallas Cowboys.
“Yeah, (it’s) a really tough day,” Lynch said on KPIX-TV’s broadcast of the 49ers’ preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. “(Lance) is a wonderful young man.
“We shot it and it didn’t work. We own that. We take responsibility for that.”
Just hours before kickoff on Friday, the 49ers traded Lance to the Cowboys for a 2024 fourth-round draft pick.
Although Lance didn’t get much of a chance with the 49ers and slipped down the team’s depth chart this summer, Lynch said he believes Lance, 23, has time to salvage his NFL career.
“I think his story is pretty much unwritten,” said Lynch. “I’m excited to see Trey. Dallas went up and really wanted him. They came after him. I think it would be a great landing spot for him.”
Lance was the starting quarterback a year ago to open the 2022 NFL season. But he lasted less than five quarters before suffering a season-ending leg injury. Lance never got another chance to run with the starters because Brock Purdy stepped up last season and won the job as the team’s permanent starting starter.
“I can tell everyone it didn’t work out because of a lack of effort on Trey’s part or ours,” Lynch said. He added, “The conditions controlled him, he suffered from injuries, and this team is ready to win.
We love our quarterback room. We love Brock Birdie so much, we love Sam Darnold, we love Brandon Allen.
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Lance joins the Cowboys with their current quarterback room consisting of freshman Dak Prescott, backup Cooper Rush and third baseman Will Grier.
“We wish Trey all the best in Dallas,” said Lynch, “and we will always care about this young man and admire his work ethic and the person he is.”
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