Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy expressed regret following the team’s 34-10 defeat against the Houston Texans on Monday night, particularly regarding his decision not to allow backup quarterback Trey Lance the chance to lead the offense. McCarthy acknowledged that he should have substituted Cooper Rush for Lance to provide the latter with a series to demonstrate his abilities.
“I think the one thing I should have done at the end, and I just didn’t do, was put Trey in there. I could’ve gotten him a series. That’s one thing that I would second-guess myself on,” McCarthy stated. He emphasized that he did not want to use Lance merely as a “gadget player,” noting that the Cowboys had prepared him for a full series of play. “I regret not doing that,” he admitted.
Trey Lance was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, making him one of the least-experienced college quarterbacks to be chosen so early. His playing time has been limited in both San Francisco and Dallas, raising the question of when the Cowboys might provide him with significant playing time. This could potentially happen in their upcoming game against the Washington Commanders.
As the Cowboys look ahead, there is a hopeful outlook for Lance to finally showcase his potential, whether it happens in Washington or in future games. Giving him the opportunity to play could invigorate the team’s dynamic and provide valuable insight into his development as a quarterback. The Cowboys may find that investing in Lance now could pay dividends down the road.