Trey Lance took the helm as the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in their Week 18 season finale against the Washington Commanders, marking his first start since being acquired from the San Francisco 49ers. Over his brief career with Dallas, Lance has played in three games, completing 5 of 7 passes for 22 yards before this matchup.
In a closely contested game that ended in a 23-19 defeat against Washington, Lance showcased his skills with a substantial performance, passing for 244 yards on 20 of 34 attempts. The Dallas offensive strategy, led by coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, successfully adapted to Lance’s strengths by frequently rolling him out of the pocket to mitigate the Commanders’ defensive pressure.
This game came after Cooper Rush had filled in for the injured Dak Prescott, starting the previous eight games and racking up a total of 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions over the season. Despite his solid performance, Rush fell just short of a $250,000 incentive by playing 52.3% of the team’s snaps, as Lance’s start prevented him from reaching the 55% threshold required for the bonus.
Drafted as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Trey Lance’s earlier career was marked by both promise and challenges. Despite impressive college stats at North Dakota State, including 2,947 passing yards and 30 touchdowns with significant rushing numbers, his transition to the NFL has been tumultuous. After briefly securing the starting position with the 49ers, Lance was sidelined for the 2022 season due to an ankle injury and subsequently traded to Dallas after struggling to reclaim his starting role.
This development enables Lance to reinvigorate his career with the Cowboys, who may benefit from his untapped potential. The challenge ahead offers him an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities on a new stage, providing hope for both Lance and the franchise as they look towards the future.
Overall, while the game ended in disappointment, Lance’s performance suggests that he has the capacity to grow and adapt, possibly hinting at a bright future with the Cowboys.