Trey Lance was once one of the most promising quarterback prospects in the NFL, but the former third-overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers is now a backup for the Dallas Cowboys.
What is Lance’s contract status and salary for the 2024 season?
Trey Lance’s Contract and 2024 Salary
Lance is in the final year of his rookie deal, which began in 2021 when he was the third overall pick of the 49ers. Lance has a modest $5.3 million cap hit, though that’s obviously far more than just about any No. 3 quarterback.
As a first-round pick, Lance had a fifth-year option, but the Cowboys unsurprisingly declined that option for Lance given how little football he’s played.
That means that Lance will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2024 season. While it’s been a while since Lance was truly a prospect, the lack of film could make him an intriguing project. The rest of the free agent quarterback class is headlined by Russell Wilson, Sam Darnold, and Justin Fields.
For his career, Lance has appeared in nine games with four starts. He’s gone 60-for-108 (56%) for 818 pass yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions. On the ground, Lance has also accounted for 252 yards and a touchdown on 57 carries.
Lance’s Net Worth and Career Earnings
Lance’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $12 million.
That’s likely on the low end for a former top-three overall pick, but there just hasn’t been enough exposure for Lance to earn much in the way of endorsements. According to Spotrac, Lance has earned $34.1 million in salary throughout his four-year NFL career.
Lance’s big breakthrough was supposed to come during the 2022 season. After sitting for a year behind Jimmy Garoppolo, Lance was named the starting quarterback as Garoppolo was sent to the bench, despite the 49ers reaching the NFC Championship Game the previous season.
However, Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury early in Week 2 versus the Seattle Seahawks. Garoppolo was brought back as a starter before he suffered his own season-ending injury in Week 13 of that season, paving the way for current 49ers starter Brock Purdy.
The Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick to the 49ers for Lance in Aug. 2023. However, in two seasons with Dallas, Lance has appeared in just one game.
Lance did get a more extended look during the 2024 preseason, but the results were mixed. In three games, Lance passed for 662 yards but threw two touchdowns and five interceptions. All five of those picks came on Aug. 24 against the Los Angeles Chargers, a game Lance played the entirety of.
As @SportsSturm and others have pointed out before, a loaning program for the NFL to the UFL would work wonders for Trey Lance.
Mike McCarthy last night: “I wish we had 3 more preseason games,” to see Lance develop/play.
Lance’s TDs + INTs from last night:#Cowboys https://t.co/Xch8hCI5g2 pic.twitter.com/gJpSyYBf5Q
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) August 25, 2024
With Dak Prescott out for the 2024 season, Lance is now up to the No. 2 quarterback role behind Cooper Rush. Given the Cowboys’ lack of realistic playoff hopes, Lance may get another chance at a starting role ahead of his free agency.