Trey Lance experienced a mix of promising moments and challenges during his debut with the Dallas Cowboys against the Los Angeles Rams. The 24-year-old quarterback gained valuable game experience in Coach Mike McCarthy’s system, which is a significant takeaway from the 13-12 loss on Sunday.
Lance, drafted in the first round by the 49ers in 2021, was traded to Dallas last August and did not have the opportunity to participate in the preseason. Throughout the regular season, he was limited to the sidelines, backing up Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush.
As the Cowboys faced the Rams, many fans were eagerly watching Lance’s performance, which yielded mixed results. He completed 25 of 41 passes for 188 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt, without throwing any touchdowns or interceptions. He also contributed on the ground with six carries for 44 yards. His passer rating of 72 was significantly lower than his previous preseason performances with the 49ers.
After Rush led a successful drive with a long completion to Jalen Brooks, Lance took the reins during the Cowboys’ second offensive series. However, the unit struggled to replicate the explosiveness it briefly achieved with Rush.
In the first half, Lance showcased some mobility, including a notable 19-yard run, but faced difficulties connecting with his receivers on several occasions. A missed opportunity came on a fourth-and-goal attempt when wide receiver Jalen Cropper broke free in the end zone. Lance’s pass sailed just out of Cropper’s reach, resulting in an incompletion.
While Lance demonstrated his ability to evade defenders and make plays with his legs, consistent sharp passing was lacking. He did find some rhythm midway through the fourth quarter, completing four consecutive passes, including a key conversion on third-and-9 and a 26-yard completion to Kelvin Harmon, who made a spectacular catch.
Despite some notable plays, Lance was unable to guide the Cowboys into the end zone during the nearly four quarters he played. However, with Prescott and Rush as established starters, Lance is likely to see more action over the next two weeks of the preseason, making his performance a starting point in his journey with the Cowboys. In order to revitalize his NFL career, he will need to improve in forthcoming opportunities.