As the Cowboys head into Week 3 of the NFL season with Dak Prescott under contract and sitting at a 1-1 record, their quarterback situation no longer seems to be the issue it once was. It’s remarkable to think that just 12 days ago, Prescott’s future with the team was a hot topic in Dallas, overshadowing concerns about the running-back room or the defensive line.
A mere 12 days ago, there was still a path where quarterback Trey Lance might have played a role in the Cowboys’ future, especially if Prescott’s free agency in March was a looming threat. However, with Prescott secured and Cooper Rush established as the backup, Lance now finds himself as more of a roster filler than a serious option.
The Cowboys could opt to keep Lance on the 53-man roster for the season, allowing him to go another year without seeing significant playing time. Alternatively, they could explore trading Lance, though his current trade value is likely low as he nears free agency himself.
However, there might be an option for the Cowboys if they can convince the Miami Dolphins, who are facing the potential loss of Tua Tagovailoa for the season—or even longer due to his concussion history—to consider a pre-deadline trade for Lance.
Trey Lance and a Potential Dolphins Trade The concern surrounding Tagovailoa’s health and his NFL future came up on this week’s edition of “The Spotrac Podcast.” Mike Ginnitti, editor and contract expert for the site, shared an intriguing possibility regarding Lance.
The Dolphins recently signed free-agent quarterback Tyler Huntley, who may eventually replace backup Skylar Thompson, who stepped in for Tagovailoa after his injury in Week 2. Thompson is slated to start in Week 3, though Huntley has prior starting experience.
Still, Lance remains a player to watch, as Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was an assistant with the 49ers when Lance was drafted by San Francisco.
“There were some other options that got floated around, but that one seems to make sense from a fit standpoint to what Mike McDaniel is trying to do in Miami, just to kind of keep this band together or at least Band-Aid this thing for the next 15 weeks,” Ginnitti remarked. “But I think there is a very good chance that Trey Lance is on the Miami Dolphins roster in 2025 as a signed free agent.”
Why a Cowboys Trade Makes Sense Why wait until 2025? With few viable options, the Cowboys could likely part with Lance for a low return—say, a sixth-round pick. While it would reflect poorly on Dallas, as they initially gave up a fourth-rounder to acquire him, the alternative is losing him for nothing in a few months.
For now, it seems the Cowboys have little to do but keep Lance on the roster until his remaining $5.3 million contract expires. Dallas, unsurprisingly, declined to pick up his fifth-year option earlier this year, and Lance has yet to take a snap in a regular-season game for the team.
Lance has started four games in his career, posting a 2-2 record. His standout performance came in Week 16 of the 2021 season, where he threw for 249 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in a win over Houston.
He started the first two games of the 2022 season for San Francisco but was injured in the second game and hasn’t seen consistent playing time since.
