It feels amazing that Dallas Cowboys football is back, but the team's first preseason game was anything but amazing to watch. While there were several positive takeaways, Trey Lance's performance is the biggest talking point. Unfortunately for Lance, that is not because he went scorched earth on the Rams defense.
Lance was always going to play a lot in preseason. He replaced Cooper Rush after one drive and wound up playing the most snaps of any Cowboy with 65, per Pro Football Focus.
The 24-year-old caused problems with his legs, totaling 44 yards from six carries. However, he looked far from refined as a passer. His arm strength was evident and there were two or three nice throws, but his accuracy, timing and vision resembled that of a mid-round rookie. Nothing looked easy, which speaks volumes given he was going up against the Rams' backups.
Mike McCarthy has spoken highly of Lance all offseason. After the QB's rough preseason debut, though, McCarthy didn't offer much else about Lance aside from moral victories.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy wasn't impressed by Trey Lance's preseason debut
“Trying to get as much as I can with him” McCarthy said, via ESPN. “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.”
While McCarthy lauded Lance's mental fortitude and athleticism, he didn't compliment a single aspect of Lance's performance from Sunday. Even McCarthy knows that he keeps saying the same thing about Lance: that he needs more reps. Well, the reps have arrived and Lance still looks as raw as he did in 2021 when he arrived in San Francisco as the third overall pick.
Lance was able to sustain drives against the Rams, but none of them resulted in a touchdown. He finished 25-of-41 for 188 yards and he was sacked three times. He averaged 4.6 yards per attempt. For context, Panthers QB Bryce Young (a rookie) finished dead-last in the NFL last season with 5.5 yards per attempt.
Lance has nobody but to blame for himself for coming away with zero touchdowns. He didn't spot tight end Princeton Fan running wide open in the fourth quarter. In the first quarter, Lance drove the Cowboys inside the Rams' five, but he overthrew Jalen Cropper on a fade route on fourth down. He also put too much mustard on a deep shot to Cam Johnson, who had at least one step on the cornerback. There was another play when Ryan Flournoy created five yards of separation on a slant route, but Lance didn't spot him.
Is it possible that by next week Lance connects on these passes after he reviews the film? Perhaps, but it is also unrealistic to think after Sunday that his vision and accuracy will improve overnight. There might not be enough reps in preseason for McCarthy to fix Lance.
