It’s definitely been a whirlwind week for newly acquired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance.

It started with Lance losing the backup job with the San Francisco 49ers, putting another damper on what has been a disappointing run in the NFL after being picked third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He then needed to take some time away from the team after getting the news from 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, and it ended with him being traded to the Cowboys for a fourth-round pick on Friday.

But Lance has hit the ground running since arriving in Dallas, getting acclimated with his teammates and coaches and trying to learn a new offense. There’s a a smile on his face, and he’s excited about getting a fresh start with the Cowboys.

“Obviously, it was tough, but for me it was trying to figure out what was next and what’s going to happen in the future,” Lance said. “I really tried to not expect anything one way or another, but I can say that when I heard ‘Cowboys,’ I had a big smile on my face. I was very excited to be here.

“Just excited to continue to get to know the guys. It’s been awesome, these last couple of days, getting to know the guys.”

Lance is going to be the No. 3 quarterback in Dallas behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. He could have a chance to be the backup in the 2024 or 2024 if he develops.

As of now, he is not looking down the road. He is taking it one day at a time.

He said he got a warm welcome from Prescott and is excited to learn as much as he can from him.

“He welcomed me with open arms,” Lance said. “This morning was the first time I ran into him, but that meant a lot to me. He’s a guy who has obviously played at a very high level for a very long time. Nothing but tons of respect for him, as I think he deserves and gets from across the league. So for me, just trying to learn everything I possibly can from him.”

Lance said he things in San Francisco didn’t go as he hoped. He was expected to be the team’s franchise quarterback after the 49ers traded three first-round picks to move up from 12th to third to acquire him in the draft.

He played in only eight games and made just four starts in San Francisco. Brock Purdy took over the starting job last season and when Lance lost a competition with Sam Darnold for the backup job, it was time to move on.

“It’s not how I expected it to go. It’s not how I think a lot of people expected it to go,” Lance said. “But I believe that everything happens for a reason. I think I’m here for a reason. Regardless of what it is, just want to try to find a way to help the team.”

Lance said he is excited to learn from coach Mike McCarthy and be part of the Cowboys organization. He has already taken in a lot of information and looking to learn more.

“Yeah, it was a little bit surreal for me hearing I was going to come here knowing everything about this historic organization,” Lance said. “Coach McCarthy and the entire coaching staff, man, nothing but knowledge being in all these meetings. It’s been awesome for me. It’s been fun. Kind of a breath of fresh air to learn a new offense and just like I said, being around the guys the last two days, I feel like I’ve learned so much ball.”

Lance again reiterated his excitement to be in the same quarterback room with Prescott.

What can he learn from him?

“Everything. The type of person he is, first and foremost,” Lance said. “I think everyone knows that, with the Walter Payton Man of the Year and things like that. How he treats people. Just the type of person he is. And, obviously, the football stuff kind of speaks for itself. But definitely looking forward to being a sponge, just soaking up everything I can from him.”