Trey Lance received notable praise from Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy during the team’s OTAs on Thursday.
The fourth-year quarterback is competing with Cooper Rush for the backup position after not seeing any action last season. And if the former first-round pick (No. 3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft) is impressive enough, maybe — just maybe — he gives the Cowboys an option as they continue to negotiate with starter Dak Prescott over a new contract.
McCarthy gave no indication of what would be a major, controversial decision. But he spoke highly of Lance’s offseason performance and his improvement after a season learning the offense in Dallas.
“He was learning, but now he’s starting to understand the timing,” McCarthy told reporters Thursday. “He’s almost a master of the system. He has very good insight… He just needs as many reps as possible.”
Saying that Lance is “almost a master of the system” is high praise from the head coach, implying that he would be confident if Lance had to take over for Prescott at some point this upcoming season.
Yet the Cowboys also know what they have with Rush. The sixth-year pro threw for just 144 yards while appearing in seven games. However, he played very well in 2022 as a substitute for the injured Prescott. In five games, Rush threw for 1,051 yards and five touchdowns (against three interceptions), leading Dallas to a 4–1 record.
All three of the Cowboys’ quarterbacks could be free agents after the 2024-2025 season. Keeping Rush, who turns 31 in November, as a backup for Prescott appears to be the conventional route. But team owner Jerry Jones may still be enamored with Lance’s talent and the fact that he is only 24 years old.
However, Lance may also prefer to explore opportunities that could put him in contention for a starting job. He won the 49ers starting job in 2022 before his season ended with a broken ankle. Other general managers will likely be as intrigued by Lance’s potential as Jones and the 49ers’ braintrust.
However, the Cowboys’ quarterback situation ultimately comes down to whether or not Prescott signs a new contract. (His current deal prevents the team from franchise tagging him.) Dallas would take a $40.5 million dead cap hit in 2025-26 if he leaves as a free agent. Working out a new deal would allow the team to spread that money around, allowing for the re-signing of other stars like receiver CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parsons.
