Trey Lance received some 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 job after not seeing action last season. And if the former first-round pick (No. 3 overall of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft) is pretty impressive, maybe – just maybe – it gives the Cowboys an option as they continue to negotiate with starter Dak Prescott on a new contract.
McCarthy did not provide any indication as to what would be a major and controversial decision. But he praised Lance’s offseason performance and his improvement after a season learning Dallas’ offense.
“He was on a learning curve, but now he’s starting to find his timing,” McCarthy told reporters Thursday. “He’s close to being a master of the system. He has really high knowledge…he just needs as many repetitions as he can.”
Saying that Lance is “close to being a master of the system” is high praise from the head coach, implying that he would be confident if Lance were to replace Prescott at some point next season.
However, the Cowboys also know what they have with Rush. The sixth-year pro only threw for 144 yards in seven games. However, he played very well in 2022 while filling in 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 Cowboys quarterbacks can be free agents after the 2024-25 season. Keeping Rush, who turns 31 in November, as Prescott’s backup appears to be the conventional route. But team owner Jerry Jones might still be enamored with Lance’s talent and the fact that he’s only 24 years old.
However, Lance might also prefer to explore options where he could compete 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’ brain trust were.
However, the Cowboys’ quarterback situation ultimately comes down to whether or not Prescott signs a new contract. (Your current treatment prevents the team from placing a franchise tag on him.) Dallas would take a $40.5 million cap hit in 2025-26 if he leaves as a free agent. Reaching a new deal would allow the team to spread that money around, helping to re-sign other stars like receiver CeeDee Lamb and running back Micah Parsons.
