Trey Lance Debuts with 188-Yard Performance for Dallas Cowboys

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Nearly a year after his last appearance on the field, Trey Lance took the opportunity to showcase his skills as he debuted with the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Rams.

The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers was traded to the Cowboys last August for a fourth-round pick. Despite being with the team, Lance had not seen any game action in the 2023 season until this outing.

Replacing Cooper Rush after just one drive, Lance completed 25 out of 41 passes, accumulating 188 passing yards. He did not throw a touchdown or an interception and was sacked three times during the game. Additionally, he demonstrated his mobility with six rushing attempts, leading the team with a total of 44 yards, but the Cowboys ultimately lost in a close finish, 13-12.

“I’d hope to just step back in and be ready to go,” Lance admitted following the game. “It’s been a year, but that’s never going to be an excuse for me. I’ve had a ton of snaps in practice during organized team activities and training camp. So I’m just excited for next week.”

Throughout his time on the field, Lance was able to lead six out of eight drives that resulted in at least eight plays. However, he struggled to convert those opportunities into touchdowns, settling for three field goals from kicker Brandon Aubrey.

Head coach Mike McCarthy expressed optimism about Lance’s performance, noting the need for continued work. “I want to see him running the offense at a high level. Some of the concepts are new to him, so we need more time,” McCarthy noted. “He’s making good progress. He’s wired the right way. He’s a great athlete, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Lance came close to connecting on at least two touchdown passes but missed crucial opportunities. Early in the game, he had the Cowboys positioned at the Rams’ 3-yard line, yet his fade pass intended for Jalen Cropper just evaded his reach. Later, during the fourth quarter, Lance overthrew Cam Johnson, who was open for a deep catch.

In a sideline review with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, Lance recognized another missed opportunity, noting tight end Princeton Fant was uncovered. “I was a little ahead of my feet, and the corner positioned himself well,” he explained. “I honestly should have gone to the back quicker. It’s one of those things you learn from; I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

Despite facing adversity, including four drops by his receivers, Lance acknowledged his own faults as he noted making high throws that limited his teammates’ opportunities to excel after catching the ball. Yet, McCarthy praised Lance’s overall command during the game, stating, “I really liked his command. Taking advantage of fourth-down situations will pay off in the future; I believe that.”

Lance remained frustrated that the offense couldn’t capitalize on four turnovers created by the Dallas defense, one allowing the Cowboys to start a drive at the Rams’ 23-yard line. However, the Cowboys faltered, losing 11 yards on the ensuing plays and settling for Aubrey’s long field goal instead of scoring a touchdown. “We were able to string together 10- or 11-play drives, but it’s frustrating not finishing them,” Lance said. “I need to improve in the red zone.”

With another opportunity coming up next week against the Las Vegas Raiders, Lance is looking forward to further showcasing his abilities. Dak Prescott, who missed a practice due to ankle soreness, stated he feels fine and expects to participate when the Cowboys resume practice on Tuesday. While Cooper Rush currently holds the backup role behind Prescott, Lance is secured for $5.3 million in the final year of his rookie contract.

Reflecting on his performance, Lance said, “I’m excited to watch the film. That’s where the real learning happens. I think I missed opportunities out there. Scoring on four extra possessions and not getting touchdowns—that’s a tough feeling to process.”