The Dallas Cowboys have opted into another season with backup quarterback Trey Lance after picking up his 2024 roster bonus on Thursday, according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. The roster bonus is $4.25 million for the former first-rounder.
Although the Cowboys picked up the roster bonus on Lance, they’re not expected to exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. That means after the 2024 season, the former North Dakota State star could enter free agency for the first time in his NFL career.
For Lance, a former first-rounder with no Pro Bowls to his name yet, the fifth-year option would have cost Dallas $22.4 million. Coming out of the draft, he signed a four-year rookie deal for $34.1 million with a $22.16 million signing bonus and all money guaranteed. His base salary for 2024 is $1.055 million.
Through his first two years in the league, Lance has started in just four games, owning a 2-2 record. He’s completed 56-of-102 passes for 797 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
After trading a fourth-round pick for him to the 49ers, perhaps the team was hoping Lance would push second-stringer Cooper Rush for the QB2 role in 2023. However, he saw no action this year. Either way, he relished the opportunity for a fresh start after his time in San Francisco. Rush, meanwhile, also has another year on his contract with the Cowboys.
Dallas’ front office is currently working on an extension for starting quarterback Dak Prescott. An extension would lower his 2024 cap hit, and likely make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league once again.
More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency
Dallas has a lengthy list of upcoming free agents to consider re-signing, as well as multiple stars who are looking for contract extensions. The list of the Cowboys’ free agents includes Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Stephon Gilmore, Tyler Biadasz, Dorance Armstrong Jr., Jayron Kearse, Jourdan Lewis, Johnathan Hankins, Neville Gallimore, Dante Fowler Jr., Chuma Edoga, Noah Igbinoghene and Rico Dowdle.
The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.
In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.
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