Ex-49ers QB Trey Lance says being traded to Cowboys put 'a big smile on my face'

New Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance said his subpar time with the San Francisco 49ers was "not how I expected it to go."

"It's not how I think a lot of people expected it to go," Lance told reporters Tuesday. "But I believe that everything happens for a reason. I think I'm here for a reason."

Lance, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft, was dealt by the 49ers to the Cowboys on Friday after losing the backup role to veteran Sam Darnold. Lance said he's "very excited" to join the Cowboys, who gave up a fourth-round draft pick for him.

"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. "It was a little bit surreal for me hearing I was going to come here knowing everything about this historic organization." 

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The 49ers surrendered three first-round picks and a third-rounder to move up the board and select Lance. He played in eight total games (four starts) over two seasons, recording just 797 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. San Francisco announced that Darnold would be Brock Purdy's backup last week, which Lance called "tough."

"I'm kind of really trying to move on, but yeah, it definitely took some time," Lance said. "That conversation obviously wasn't something I wanted to hear, but that's the reality of the situation. Nothing but respect and gratitude for everyone there — coaching staff, locker room, athletic training staff, everyone I spent a ton of time with these last few years. Obviously, it was tough, but for me it was trying to figure out what was next and what's going to happen in the future."

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Lance will be the Cowboys' third-string quarterback behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. He said he's "looking forward to being a sponge, just soaking up everything I can from" Prescott, head coach Mike McCarthy (who is calling plays for Dallas this season) and the entire organization.

"Coach McCarthy and the entire coaching staff, man, nothing but knowledge being in all these meetings," Lance said. "It's been awesome for me. It's been fun. Kind of a breath of fresh air to learn a new offense and being around the guys the last two days. I feel like I've learned so much just ball."

He said Prescott and the team "welcomed me with open arms and that meant a lot to me." Lance, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in a Week 2 game last season, added that he's 100% healthy.

Contributing: Tyler Dragon