Trey Lance’s journey in the NFL has been a rollercoaster of high expectations, limited opportunities, and undeniable setbacks. Once heralded as a top-tier prospect with the potential to redefine the quarterback position, Lance’s career has hit a wall—or, perhaps more accurately, a graveyard of unfulfilled promise. Released by the Dallas Cowboys after a lackluster stint as Dak Prescott’s backup, the former No. 3 overall pick finds himself at a crossroads. But could the Los Angeles Rams, led by the quarterback-whisperer Sean McVay, offer Lance a lifeline to resurrect his professional football career? Let’s dive into why this pairing might just be the perfect match—and why it’s a long shot worth considering.
The Rise and Fall of Trey Lance
To understand why the Rams could be Lance’s salvation, we first need to unpack his tumultuous NFL tenure. Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 out of North Dakota State, Lance arrived with a tantalizing blend of athleticism, arm strength, and raw potential. At just 21 years old, he was seen as a long-term investment—a dual-threat quarterback who could grow into a franchise cornerstone. However, his limited college experience (only 17 starts and 318 pass attempts) raised red flags about his readiness for the pro game, especially in a league that increasingly demands instant results.
Lance’s time in San Francisco was marred by misfortune and mismanagement. He started just four games across two seasons, with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 of 2022 derailing his chance to prove himself as the full-time starter. The emergence of Brock Purdy, the last pick of that year’s draft, sealed Lance’s fate with the 49ers, who traded him to Dallas in August 2023 for a modest fourth-round pick. In Dallas, Lance’s struggles continued, culminating in a disastrous preseason finale where he threw five interceptions in a single game—a performance that effectively ended his tenure with the Cowboys. Now a free agent, Lance’s NFL career hangs by a thread. But is it truly over, or does he just need the right environment to thrive?
Sean McVay: The Quarterback Revival Specialist
Enter Sean McVay, the Los Angeles Rams’ head coach and one of the NFL’s most celebrated offensive minds. McVay has built a reputation as a quarterback guru, turning middling or struggling signal-callers into productive players. His track record speaks for itself. Jared Goff went from a perceived bust to a Pro Bowler under McVay’s tutelage. Baker Mayfield, written off after a rocky tenure in Cleveland and Carolina, found new life in Los Angeles in 2022, earning a second contract with Tampa Bay. Even Carson Wentz, a former MVP candidate whose career had spiraled, showed flashes of his old self during a brief stint with the Rams in 2023.
What makes McVay so effective? It’s a combination of his innovative scheme, which maximizes spacing and play-action to create easy reads, and his ability to tailor his offense to a quarterback’s strengths. For Lance, who possesses elite physical tools but lacks polish, McVay’s system could be the ideal proving ground. Imagine Lance’s mobility paired with McVay’s creative bootleg designs or his arm strength stretching the field in a way that complements the Rams’ current roster. With Matthew Stafford still at the helm, Lance wouldn’t be thrust into the spotlight immediately—he’d have time to develop, something he’s never truly been afforded.
The Rams’ Quarterback Conundrum
The Rams’ current quarterback situation adds another layer to this hypothetical. Matthew Stafford, now 37, remains one of the league’s best when healthy, as evidenced by his clutch performances in the 2024 season. But his age and injury history—he’s battled elbow, back, and thumb issues in recent years—mean the Rams must plan for the future. Jimmy Garoppolo, re-signed as Stafford’s backup for 2025, provides a reliable stopgap, but at 33, he’s not a long-term solution. Stetson Bennett, a fourth-round pick in 2023, has yet to prove he’s more than a developmental project, leaving the Rams without a clear heir apparent.
This is where Lance could fit in. The Rams don’t need him to start right away; they need a high-upside player who can learn behind Stafford and eventually take the reins. Lance’s athletic profile—6’4”, 224 pounds, with a 4.6-second 40-yard-dash speed—offers a dynamic contrast to Stafford’s pocket-bound style. Under McVay, Lance could refine his mechanics, improve his decision-making, and gain the confidence that’s been eroded by years of sporadic play. It’s a low-risk, high-reward proposition: sign Lance to a modest deal, let him sit for a year or two, and see if he can reclaim his potential.
Why Lance Deserves Another Shot
Critics will point to Lance’s failures—his 5-interception preseason debacle, his 54.8% completion rate in San Francisco, his inability to seize opportunities—and argue he’s a lost cause. But context matters. Lance has never had the benefit of consistent coaching or playing time. In San Francisco, he cycled through injuries and a crowded depth chart; in Dallas, he was buried behind Prescott with little chance to showcase his skills. Compare that to Josh Allen, who struggled early with the Buffalo Bills (52.8% completion rate as a rookie) but blossomed into an MVP candidate with patience and development. Lance isn’t Allen, but the parallel suggests that raw quarterbacks can succeed with the right support.
The NFL’s impatience with young quarterbacks is a systemic issue. Teams often abandon prospects too quickly, unwilling to invest the years it takes to polish a rough diamond. Lance isn’t blameless—his accuracy and field vision need work—but he’s also a victim of circumstance. At 24 years old, he’s still younger than many quarterbacks entering the league today. With his physical gifts intact, there’s reason to believe he could thrive in the right system. And few systems are as quarterback-friendly as McVay’s.
The Rams’ Roster Fit
Beyond McVay’s coaching, the Rams’ roster could amplify Lance’s strengths. Puka Nacua, the breakout star of 2023, and Davante Adams, acquired in a blockbuster move in 2025, form a lethal receiving duo capable of bailing out a young quarterback. Kyren Williams, a shifty, dual-threat running back, complements Lance’s mobility, opening up read-option and RPO (run-pass option) possibilities that McVay has underutilized with Stafford. The offensive line, bolstered by the re-signing of Alaric Jackson in 2025, provides the protection Lance would need to settle into the pocket and grow comfortable.
Defensively, the Rams are anchored by young stars like Jared Verse and Kobie Turner, meaning Lance wouldn’t face the pressure of carrying a struggling team. This is a squad built to contend now and in the near future—a perfect sandbox for Lance to experiment and mature without the weight of immediate expectations.
The Counterarguments
Of course, there are risks. Lance’s interception-laden preseason with Dallas raises legitimate questions about his decision-making under pressure. The Rams, with their Super Bowl window open in 2025, might not want to gamble on a reclamation project when they could pursue a more proven backup or draft a rookie with a cleaner slate. Stetson Bennett, despite his limitations, is already in the building—why add another untested quarterback to the mix? And if Lance flops, it’s a wasted roster spot on a team with bigger needs at cornerback and linebacker.
There’s also the financial angle. While Lance wouldn’t command a big salary as a free agent, the Rams’ cap space is finite, especially with Stafford’s renegotiated $40 million deal for 2025. Every dollar counts for a team looking to maximize its contention window. Signing Lance might mean passing on a veteran depth piece elsewhere.
The Verdict: A Chance Worth Taking
Despite the uncertainties, the case for Trey Lance landing with the Rams is compelling. Sean McVay’s track record with quarterbacks, combined with Lance’s untapped potential and the Rams’ need for a succession plan, makes this a tantalizing “what if.” Picture this: Lance spends 2025 learning McVay’s system, absorbing Stafford’s veteran savvy, and refining his game in practice. By 2026 or 2027, as Stafford’s career winds down, Lance steps in as a polished, dynamic starter, extending the Rams’ competitive window with a cost-controlled quarterback.
It’s not a guarantee—few things are in the NFL—but it’s a calculated risk with a potentially massive payoff. Lance’s career may appear dead, but in the hands of Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams, it could find new life. For a player who’s never gotten a fair shake and a team that thrives on bold moves, this could be the revival story the NFL didn’t see coming.
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