Trey Lance’s 49ers departure is bittersweet for his now-former teammate, San Francisco linebacker Fred Warner.
When discussing Lance’s trade to the Cowboys on an upcoming episode of his “Warner House” podcast with wife Sydney, Warner expressed how “excited” he is for the former first-round pick after riding a “rollercoaster” in San Francisco for two seasons.
“I’m excited for Trey. You know, he obviously just needs a fresh start,” the 26-year-old Warner said in a clip released Thursday.
“You know, it’s been such a rollercoaster for him ever since he got here so, really happy for Trey … Just happy to see him go and flourish now with another freaking great franchise in Dallas.”
Lance, the 49ers’ third overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, was dealt to the Cowboys last Friday in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2024.
The former North Dakota State product, 23, opened his rookie season as the backup to veteran Jimmy Garoppolo.
By Week 5, though, he was named the starter after Garoppolo sustained an injury in the previous game.
Lance, who hurt his knee in that contest, made a second start in Week 17.
He was named the starting quarterback entering the 2022 regular season with Garoppolo in the backup role.
However, the Lance era came to a devasting halt in Week 2 when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
Though Garoppolo slipped back into the role of QB1, he got hurt late in the season, paving the way for rookie sensation Brock Purdy, who led the 49ers to an NFC Championship berth.
As the 49ers entered training camp, Purdy — who underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this year following an elbow injury in the NFC title game — held a firm grip on the starting job while ex-Jet Sam Darnold, whom the team signed in March, moved past Lance on the depth chart for the backup role.
“When we told him that he was going to be the three, if he could find another opportunity that was good, we’d allow him to do that, and he did,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “We feel he’ll be better for it, and I think we will, too.”
Lance told reporters this week he “had a big smile on my face” upon learning he was Dallas-bound.
“I really tried to not expect anything one way or another, but I can say that when I heard ‘Cowboys,’ I had a big smile on my face,” Lance said. “I was very excited to be here.”
Dak Prescott is the Cowboys’ starting quarterback while Cooper Rush is his backup.
In the meantime, Lance is soaking up everything in his new environment.
“I believe that everything happens for a reason. I think I’m here for a reason. Regardless of what it is, just want to try to find a way to help the team,” Lance said.
The 49ers will host the Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 8.