Longtime Dallas Cowboys columnist Mickey Spagnola is pleading with the Boys to give Trey Lance a chance.
Lance has been largely forgotten due to a spring of controversy over quarterback allegations, but with Dak Prescott's future in flux and Cooper Rush standing as one of the NFL's more reliable backups, It remains buried in Dallas' depth chart. In a recent post on the team's official website, Spagnola warned the Cowboys that Lance's situation could become a powder keg, especially if he doesn't get to play against a premier unit in practice.
“It's time to get to know Trey Aubrey Lance, who turns 24 in May. Get ready,” Spagnola said. “From all indications, Lance will be given a large amount of snaps during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Once training camp begins, Lance will carry the bulk of the second team while keeping Dak from getting worn out in practice.” Look out to get 'snaps, probably some of the first ones. ”
“Well, they know everything there is to know about Rush, a veteran reserve. They need to find out about Lance quickly, which means Lance will probably play the snaps for the majority of preseason games. That should mean we have a good chance of getting it.”
October 8, 2023. Santa Clara, California, USA.Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (15) watches the clock.
Kyle Terrada-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas traded for Lance toward the end of last season's preparations, and he served exclusively as the team's emergency third quarterback after arriving from San Francisco. Lance was the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft, but was plagued by a series of injuries and became redundant with the rise of Brock Purdy. Dallas can afford a fourth year (total cap hit of $5.3 million), but a very unlikely fifth option at $22.4 million is looming.
In Spagnola's words, it's probably now or never.
“The Cowboys played in just eight games in two seasons in San Francisco, starting four, including two in the first two games of the 2022 season, before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. “This season will be the only time we'll see if we can do it at the NFL level,” Spagnola said. “This decision could seem like a drop in the bucket with everything else swirling around this team. Or it could be something epic. Who knows? ?The Cowboys certainly aren't, not yet anyway.''
Spagnola also argues that such a strategy could help the Cowboys now or later. He brings up the idea that Dallas isn't used to stockpiling pitchers (remembering that Tony Romo, Roger Stback, and Danny White all began their respective reigns as a franchise) in their 20s. There's a good chance Dallas dangles Lance in front of another quarterback-hungry team come late summer.
Dedicating the summer to Lance could be an interesting subplot that gives at least some meaning to the preseason schedule. But Dallas forfeited the privilege of patience, as management should have known the deadline was coming the moment it accepted San Francisco's offer. And suddenly they're not sure about Lance's future here…just as Prescott is unsure.
