Is it safe to say the Cowboys still don't know what they have in Trey Lance? Realistically, where do they go from here? – David Nystrom/Loudon, TN
Patrik: I mean, does anyone? Think about it for a moment. As a third-overall pick, he was all set to become the face of the franchise in San Francisco. Things didn't pan out because of a combination of injury and Kyle Shanahan not seeing the development he wanted, and so Mike McCarthy, a quarterback whisperer of the highest order, wanted to see what he could unlock. There has been some jimmying of the safe but in order to truly know what's in it, more time with the lockpick is required and, guess what? There is no more time. That's because, ideally, Dak Prescott will remain healthy the entire season and, in a pinch, it's Cooper Rush getting the nod as starter. In all likelihood, Lance won't take another snap for the Cowboys until next preseason and that's assuming he re-signs with the club in free agency next offseason. The sample size the Cowboys got this preseason wasn't small by any means, nearly three complete games, and he showed both growth and lack thereof. So, where do they go from here? Well, if he'll take a minimum deal in 2025 for another shot at proving he can be a solid QB2, then that's the move, because there's at least enough data to support that. But if he wants more money, you keep Rush around and try to find another developmental QB, because there's no data that justifies overpaying to keep Lance in Dallas.
Nick Harris: The sample size the Cowboys got from Trey Lance in the preseason did tell us a lot, but it did leave just as many questions as before. Does he just need time? Is there a path to being a QB1 in the future? What about QB2? Lance will need more on-field time before anyone can write the conclusion on how his NFL career will end, and it's tough to envision what that would look like in Dallas. The praise he has received from Mike McCarthy and the front office has been steadfast which would tell us that there are plans to have Lance back at the end of his expiring contract next offseason. Nevertheless, don't expect to see a whole lot of Lance in 2024, if any. The backup job is firmly Cooper Rush's to lose until Trey Lance shows that he can be the guy instead.
