The Saskatchewan Roughriders have made a significant move by adding former NFL quarterback Trey Lance to their negotiation list, granting them exclusive rights to negotiate a contract should he decide to join the Canadian Football League (CFL). This decision comes as Lance, a 24-year-old free agent, seeks to revive his football career after a challenging tenure in the NFL.
Lance was initially selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, where he was expected to be the successor to Jimmy Garoppolo. However, injuries plagued his early career, limiting him to just eight games over his first two seasons. In 2022, he was named the starting quarterback but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. Following his injury, Brock Purdy emerged as a standout player, leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game and making Lance expendable.
In August 2023, the 49ers traded Lance to the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent the entirety of the 2023 season as the third-string quarterback, seeing little action. In 2024, he started the final game of the season, completing 20 of 34 passes for 244 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception, in a narrow 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders. Overall, Lance has played in 12 NFL games, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,063 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions, alongside 276 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Lance's collegiate career at North Dakota State University was remarkable, where he completed 66.9% of his passes for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns without throwing a single interception during the 2019 season. He also showcased his dual-threat capabilities by rushing for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading the Bison to a national championship and winning the Walter Payton Award as the most outstanding offensive player in the FCS.
Now, with the Roughriders adding him to their negotiation list on March 26, 2025, Lance has a potential opportunity to restart his career in the CFL. The Roughriders have the option to name up to 45 players to their negotiation list, and Lance's status as a free agent allows for immediate contract discussions.
Interestingly, Lance has family ties to the Roughriders. His father, Carlton Lance, played as a cornerback for the team in 1993, earning CFL All-Rookie honors. This connection adds a personal dimension to the possibility of Trey joining Saskatchewan, making it feel somewhat like a homecoming for the young quarterback.
As the CFL season approaches, the Roughriders are hopeful that Lance will consider their offer, which could provide him with the playing time and development opportunities he has missed in the NFL. The team is in need of a dynamic quarterback, and Lance’s dual-threat capabilities could be a perfect fit for their offensive scheme.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Lance remains a young talent with the potential to make a significant impact in the CFL. At just 24 years old, he has time on his side to develop into the player many expected him to be when he entered the NFL. His journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional sports and the opportunities that can arise in unexpected places.
As Lance weighs his options, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he takes the plunge into the Canadian league, where he could potentially revive his career and become a star once again.
