"Kyle and I, when we broke the news to him [last Friday], saw him light up a little bit," Lynch said. "And he loves it here. He was very appreciative of the opportunity. Typical Trey, he apologized to us, and there was nothing for him to apologize for.
"We're happy that he's got a spot, and the Cowboys came up big, and I think that's an indication that they're excited to have him. And we're excited for Trey's new opportunity, and we'll always be big fans."
Lance sought an opportunity to compete, to go somewhere he might have a better chance to develop. Unfortunately, it seemed that wasn't going to happen with the Niners. The third-year player lost the QB2 battle to Sam Darnold.
Speaking to Cowboys reporters for the first time since the trade, Lance revealed what was going through his mind when he received the news from the 49ers.
"When I heard 'Cowboys,' I had a big smile on my face," Lance said, per The Athletic's Jon Machota.
The Cowboys shipped a fourth-round draft pick to the 49ers in exchange for Lance, who joins quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush on the 53-man roster. That compensation is significantly less than what it cost San Francisco to move up in the 2021 NFL Draft to acquire Lance, three first-round picks and a third-rounder. The deal will likely go down as one of the worst draft trades in NFL history.
While things didn't work out like the 49ers and Lance hoped, the quarterback appreciates his time in Santa Clara.
"I learned a ton," Lance said, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. "Like I said, just very thankful for everyone there. It's not how I expected it to go. It's not [how] I think a lot of people expected it to go. But I believe that everything happens for a reason. I think I'm here for a reason."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers mailbag: Why did SF abandon the run against Detroit? Will the 49ers focus on offense or defense this offseason? Will SF replace Nick Sorensen with Robert Saleh?
There are a lot of questions that will follow the San Francisco 49ers into the offseason. Who will get extensions? Who will be let go? What moves will they make in free agency and the draft? And many more. You have questions, as well, and that's a good thing because we opened... -
Sidelined 49ers: Who's out against the Cardinals?
The San Francisco 49ers aim to end their injury-plagued season on a high note with a Week 18 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. However, several key players will be unavailable as the team wraps up a disappointing campaign. RELATED: 49ers announce... -
Recap: Late mistakes halt 49ers in 40-34 shootout loss to Lions
The San Francisco 49ers gave the Detroit Lions all they could handle for much of their showdown at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Monday night, but in the end, it was the 49ers who wound up making the mistakes that cost them the game. The teams went back and forth on... -
49ers TE George Kittle reaches milestone against Lions
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle needed just 33 yards on Monday night to secure his fourth career season with at least 1,000 receiving yards. Kittle reached the milestone in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions, accomplishing it on the play shown...