Cowboys Add Trey Lance Before Season

Cowboys have added Trey Lance to their QB room.
Photo Credit: Thearon W. HendersonAFP

In just two preseason games, the Cowboys have seen enough out of their reserve QBs to know that they need more from this group. Just a day before the third and final preseason game, Dallas makes a trade with the San Francisco 49ers for their former first round QB Trey Lance. Lance was the reserve QB for them and fell out of favor with the club that traded three first rounders and a third rounder in 2021 for the chance to draft Lance. Moving up for your franchise QB is risky business. You either get your guy or dig yourself further down in QB purgatory. Regardless, the price is the price if you want to move up. Now, just three years after grabbing Lance, they have moved on from him for just a fourth round selection.

According to multiple Cowboys sources, the team had a second round grade on Lance. When they reached out to San Francisco, no doubt they tried to get him for the low, but they settled on a fourth round pick. The team hasn’t spent more draft compensation on a QB since Stephen McGee in 2009. They got very fortunate with the finding of Tony Romo (Undrafted) and Dak Prescott. Prescott was a 4th round compensatory selection in 2016. What made the Cowboys want to add a player like Trey Lance?

For starters, arm Talent and potential. Lance has a cannon for an arm and has the build and athleticism to play the position. He has a ton of upside, he just needs development. Lance, who is just 23 years old has only logged over 600 passing attempts since he completed highschool. One solid year at college before injuries and Covid hit, he rode the bench his rookie year and then got injured his second year with the team. In my opinion, it’s too soon to throw the bust tag on him. He haven’t had enough reps and games to see what he really could be. From all accounts, the young man is a hard worker and Niners GM John Lynch called him “a good kid.” Maybe he just needed a new surrounding with a new voice. Perhaps a more supporting voice.

Second, we saw how injuries impacted the playoffs. Cowboy’s entire offense got derailed when Tony Pollard was injured. The Niners would have beaten the Eagles if they had a healthy QB. Dallas doesn’t want to leave anything up for chance. Last season, Dak missed five of the six first games with an injury. Cooper Rush played well enough to go 4-1 as QB1, but the offense was limited. In theory, having a QB that can run the entire offense and scramble/ create could be beneficial. Lance could serve as a “break glass in case of emergency’ option.

Another reason for the acquisition is the betterment of the team. Having a big armed mobile QB to run scout team could help the Defense. They will face the Eagles at least twice, the Panthers and the Bills and maybe even the Bears if they make the playoffs. Also, if Lance does show signs of progress and development, it can only help the team. Competition breeds success. “Iron sharpens Iron” right?

And lastly, the Cowboys are holding a Lotto Ticket. If it hits, they could cash out via a trade or see him step in and be the QB of the future. Dak’s deal is going to get done regardless. His cap hit alone is a good enough reason. Not to mention that he has led this team to two straight 12 win seasons. This team feels like the are on the edge of triumph. If they accomplish their goals, it’s great for the team. If not, they don’t have to bet the house to get into the attic. If Lance develops then he can step in within the next two or three years and try to get them over the hump. As much as time is of the essence, they can still be patient with Lance. If it doesn’t work out, the price is just a fourth rounder. This doesn’t hinder you going forward.