It's doubtful any team will call upon Trey Lance's services until after the NFL Draft is complete. Maybe even longer.
Quarterback Trey Lance's stock value is at yet another all-time low.
This, after the Dallas Cowboys opted not to retain him after his original rookie contract expired heading into 2025, allowing the one-time No. 3 overall draft pick hit the open market.
The San Francisco 49ers punted on this investment relatively quickly, jettisoning Lance off to Dallas after a mere four regular-season starts covering two seasons. It was clear Lance wasn't going to cut it in the Bay Area, and his prospects for becoming a starter elsewhere took a massive blow when he couldn't beat out Cooper Rush for the No. 2 quarterbacking job behind the Cowboys' starter, Dak Prescott.
Ouch.
Lance hit the offseason with a lofty goal of finding a new home where he'd have a shot at competing for a starting job. But, understandably, the North Dakota State prospect who needed plenty of polish upon going pro hasn't garnered much interest, if any.
As Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated pointed out, Lance might have to get creative with his next career choice, perhaps taking a spin in the CFL north of the border.
For now, though, Lance's best interest might be to simply wait.
Trey Lance can see what happens in NFL Draft before making next move
Teams in need of first- or even second-string quarterbacks aren't going to call on Lance right now. He's a third-stringer, at best, and any team in need of such a body on a depth chart isn't going to scramble and sign him anytime soon.
In all likelihood, those teams will wait to see how things unfold in the NFL Draft next April.
Four failed years doesn't bode well for Lance, even as a project. Most NFL general managers would prefer to grab someone from last year's college ranks who at least has the "potential" to thrive in the pros, opposed to taking yet another flier on the former No. 3 overall pick who couldn't cut it in either San Francisco or Dallas.
That said, the weeks and months after the draft could be revealing, at least potentially.
Related story: These 3 factors spelled the end of Trey Lance with 49ers
Teams don't always get the quarterbacks they want, even third-stringers and practice-squad bodies. There are injuries during offseason workouts and training camps, leading to a would-be need to round out a depth chart.
Lance's best hope for remaining an NFL-relevant player might be to wait until May, June, July or even August for a phone call.
Because it's not going to come any sooner.