The recent major contract extension for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, which granted him nearly everything he desired from the team, was the highlight of the week at The Star. While this was significant news, a secondary issue worth noting is the future of the Cowboys’ quarterback depth, specifically Trey Lance.
Lance was acquired last August when the Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick to the 49ers. He was initially seen as a bargaining chip in Prescott’s contract talks, following Prescott’s lackluster 2022 season and his need to prove himself in 2023. Prescott did just that, leading the NFL in passing yards, guiding the Cowboys to a 12-5 record, and finishing as a runner-up for the NFL MVP.
Despite Lance being given ample chances this summer, it was evident that the 2021 No. 3 overall pick was not a viable long-term replacement for Prescott. This realization partly explains why the Cowboys had to agree to Prescott’s contract demands.
Lance not only failed to pose a real challenge to Prescott, but he also did not surpass Cooper Rush as the backup quarterback. However, the Cowboys might still benefit from trading Lance by capitalizing on the Dolphins’ potential desperation for a quarterback.
Dolphins Might Seek a Tua Tagovailoa Replacement
The Dolphins, despite their strong offensive roster, might be compelled to seek a new quarterback after Tua Tagovailoa’s recent injury, which could be his third concussion and might lead him to consider retirement.
Among possible replacements for Tagovailoa, Lance likely offers the most potential. He also has a connection to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.
CBS Sports highlighted Lance as a potential target in their article, “Tua Tagovailoa injury: Five emergency QB options for Dolphins, including big-name trade targets,” noting that the Cowboys and Dolphins could be a good match:
“The former No. 3 overall pick hasn’t secured the top backup spot with the Cowboys in consecutive seasons and remains an uncertain passer. However, McDaniel, who was the 49ers’ run game coordinator in 2021 when Lance was drafted, might be able to adapt the offense to leverage Lance’s running skills. Additionally, Lance may not command a high trade price.”
Cowboys Have Limited Use for Trey Lance
Currently, the Cowboys have minimal use for Lance other than keeping him on the roster until his remaining $5.3 million contract expires. Unsurprisingly, the Cowboys chose not to exercise his fifth-year option last winter, and he has yet to play a regular-season game for Dallas.
Lance has started four games, with a 2-2 record. His standout performance was in Week 16 of the 2021 season, where he passed for 249 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in a victory over Houston.
He started the first two games of the 2022 season for the 49ers before getting injured in his second game and has struggled to stay consistently on the field since then.
Sean Deveney is an experienced sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL, and MLB for Heavy.com. With over two decades of experience, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for Sporting News, Deveney has written seven nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.”
