Trey Lance had a mix of standout moments and difficulties during his debut with the Dallas Cowboys, but one significant takeaway from his performance against the Los Angeles Rams is the experience he gained in coach Mike McCarthy’s offense.
The 24-year-old quarterback, who was a first-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, joined the Cowboys through a trade last August. He missed the preseason and spent the regular season as a backup to Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush.
Fans were paying close attention to Lance during the Cowboys’ 13-12 loss to the Rams, but his performance yielded mixed results. He completed 25 of 41 passes for 188 yards without throwing touchdowns or interceptions, and he rushed six times for 44 yards. His passer rating of 72 was significantly lower than those from his previous appearances with the 49ers.
After Rush made a notable connection with receiver Jalen Brooks for a 43-yard deep pass in his only drive, Lance took the reins during Dallas’ second possession. However, the Cowboys offense struggled to generate the same momentum that Rush had provided.
Lance showcased his agility with a 19-yard run in the first half and generally displayed some elusive qualities under pressure. However, he also faced challenges, including missing a vital throw that could have resulted in a touchdown. Notably, on a fourth-and-goal situation from the 1-yard line, Cowboys receiver Jalen Cropper found space in the end zone, but Lance’s pass sailed just out of reach, resulting in an incompletion and squandering a scoring opportunity.
Following that moment, the Cowboys settled into a routine with Lance occasionally evading defenders and making plays with his legs, yet struggling to deliver accurate throws downfield. He did find some rhythm during a drive in the fourth quarter, completing four consecutive passes, including a vital third-and-9 conversion and a 26-yard throw to receiver Kelvin Harmon, who made an impressive catch.
Despite some highlights, Lance could not guide the Cowboys to any touchdowns during his three-and-a-half quarters on the field. However, this may not be his only chance to showcase his skills this preseason.
With Prescott and Rush established as reliable options, Lance is likely to see plenty of action in the final two weeks of the preseason. His performance with 41 pass attempts could be viewed as just the beginning of his journey in a Cowboys uniform. To revive his NFL career, he’ll need to improve in the upcoming opportunities.