In a thrilling turn of events, Trey Lance is still on a journey to blossom into a full-fledged star player for the San Francisco 49ers and now with the Dallas Cowboys. Three years after being drafted with three first-round picks, Lance is still a work in progress as he navigates the world of professional football.
After starting just four games for the 49ers and sitting out the entirety of last year after his trade to the Cowboys, Lance finally got his chance to shine in Sunday’s preseason game against the Rams. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy recognized that Lance, who only had one year as a college starting quarterback under his belt, needed the practice and experience. Thus, after Cooper Rush led the Cowboys’ offense for one drive, Lance was given the mantle to command the field for the rest of the game.
McCarthy expressed his optimism and dedication towards Lance’s growth, stating, “Trying to get as much as I can with him. You want to see him running the offense at a high level. The footwork and some of the things we’re asking him to do conceptually are new. We just need work. We just need as much time as we can. I know I say that every time I talk about him, but he’s making good progress. He’s definitely wired the right way. He’s a great athlete. Just a lot of work to do.”
In the game, Lance completed 25 of 41 passes for 188 yards, displaying an impressive level of skill and dedication. While he didn’t score any touchdowns or throw any interceptions, he did face three sacks. Despite these challenges, McCarthy acknowledged Lance’s efforts, stating, “I really liked his command. Frankly, I tried to . . . take advantage of every situation that we were in, so those fourth-down snaps, those will pay dividends in the future. I do believe that.”
Despite his progress, Rush still holds the starting spot on the Cowboys’ depth chart, indicating that Lance may spend another season on the sidelines. However, with the preseason providing valuable playing time and growth opportunities, Lance’s path to development remains bright as long as he seizes the opportunities presented to him on the field.