FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys created a buzz near the conclusion of the 2023 offseason with one of the most unusual trades in recent NFL history. They acquired quarterback Trey Lance from the San Francisco 49ers, taking an oddly timed chance on a largely unproven player.

After two seasons at The Star, nothing changed in that regard. The Cowboys hoped he would develop sufficiently last offseason to secure the backup role behind Dak Prescott, but that didn’t materialize. At last, the Lance experiment in Dallas has concluded. The former Cowboy has now signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, agreeing to a one-year contract worth up to $6.2 million.

He will now be in reserve alongside Taylor Heinicke, backing up Justin Herbert. Lance had reportedly attracted some attention from the CFL, with TSN reporting on Wednesday that the Saskatchewan Roughriders had placed him on their negotiation list. Instead, Lance has another shot to compete for a spot on an NFL team.

The Cowboys had suggested earlier this offseason that changes might occur in their quarterback lineup, which was promptly followed by veteran backup Cooper Rush joining the Baltimore Ravens just days later. Following that, rumors circulated about the Cowboys’ interest in either drafting a quarterback in the later rounds or exploring trade options.

They chose the latter, acquiring Joe Milton III from the New England Patriots on Thursday. This move essentially marked the end of Lance’s time with the Cowboys. Despite this, the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft remains a mystery. Injuries disrupted his stint with San Francisco, and most of his playing time in Dallas occurred during the preseason.

Cowboys fans might recall a dismal five-interception performance in the team’s preseason finale in August, coincidentally against the Chargers. Perhaps a return to the West Coast will provide him with a much-needed fresh start. Nonetheless, Lance and the Cowboys part ways, closing the chapter on another intriguing decision.