In a surprising move, the Dallas Cowboys recently acquired Trey Lance in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers.
Speculations arose immediately, with many wondering if this decision had anything to do with star quarterback, Dak Prescott.
However, the Cowboys were quick to clarify that their motivation for trading was solely based on their pre-draft evaluation of Lance, and not due to any concerns regarding Prescott’s position in the team as QB1.
In 2021, the Dallas Cowboys finally reached an agreement with Prescott, signing him to a lucrative four-year, $160 million contract extension.
However Prescott’s salary cap charge of $59.4 million for the final year of his contract presents a significant financial hurdle for the Cowboys as his contract also includes no-trade and no-tag clauses, giving him added control over his future.
Regardless, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has come forward to downplay the notion that this trade provides leverage for their starting quarterback.
“Didn’t cross my mind — period — about an impact here regarding Dak,” before Saturday night’s preseason game against the Raiders. “I know that Dak wants to do anything we can do to improve this team. We’re going to do it. The facts are the decision to bring in as high a quality of talent as we could and that’s a young talent. We’ve been trying to do what we did today in almost every draft.” Jones said.
Jerry Jones: Trey Lance trade was not about Dak Prescott but about acquiring young talent. https://t.co/evOemnu5td
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 26, 2023
Jones said in a report from Todd Archer of ESPN that the trade deal between the Cowboys and the 49ers was a major development in the NFL offseason.
The 49ers were convinced of Trey Lance’s potential and jumped at the chance to select him with the third overall pick.
However, the Cowboys had initially rated Lance as a second-round talent.
Nevertheless, Jones stated that the Cowboys had shown interest in Jalen Hurts before the draft.
The team saw his potential and believed he could be a valuable asset to the franchise.
But the Eagles ultimately drafted Hurts before the Cowboys got a chance to make a move.
