Few gamers within the Cowboys’ coaching camp are drawing extra consideration than quarterback Trey Lance. However whereas we’re anxious to see how he competes for the backup job and if he can create any kind of worth past this yr, one end result you shouldn’t be on the lookout for is that Lance fails to make the 2024 roster.
Dallas basically assured Lance’s roster spot after they elected to maintain him again within the offseason, triggering a $4.3 million absolutely assured bonus. It raised his cap hit to $5.3 million together with base wage and gives no reduction if he’s minimize. The Cowboys may actually launch him however would nonetheless be out the total quantity as Lance’s wage can also be assured from his unique rookie contract.
Why can we even deliver this up? Effectively, we’ve talked earlier than in regards to the chance that Dallas may half with veteran backup Cooper Rush and run with simply Lance behind Dak Prescott on this yr’s QB depth chart. This transfer would end in cap financial savings for the Cowboys of $2.25 million with Rush within the closing yr of his deal. Maintaining simply two QBs would additionally release a spot on the 53-man roster for another place.
If Lance does pull even with Rush within the subsequent 4 week weeks then this might nonetheless occur, however to this point each camp observer has Rush main the combat. Preseason video games are nonetheless to be performed and we will anticipate Lance to dominate the snaps there, so there’s nonetheless time for opinions to vary. However for now, Lance is wanting very very like the third quarterback.
So if Dallas may not preserve Rush as a 3rd QB, why preserve Lance? That is the place that assured cash comes into play as the associated fee is already sunk in Lance. The Cowboys don’t need to pay him $5.3 million only for being a camp arm and taking bullets in some preseason video games. He’d already be one of the costly backup quarterbacks within the NFL at that quantity; even worse if he’s not even a member of your roster.
Whereas some would possibly say additionally they don’t need to admit to losing that fourth-round choose they traded away for Lance, that’s much less of a priority. Whereas it’s hardly an asset to take evenly, it’s not like we haven’t seen fourth-rounders get minimize after one yr or not even make the workforce in any respect as rookies. Certain, they’ll additionally land you a franchise quarterback every now and then, however within the grand scheme it’s only one much less spin on the roulette wheel.
Talking of that franchise QB, Prescott’s contract scenario is a part of this as properly. If Dallas does begin weighing the thought of releasing Lance and consuming their losses, they may hesitate if Prescott isn’t signed up past this season. Even when they’re not impressed with Lance’s work this summer season, he’s nonetheless a 24-year-old former third-overall choose. If the coaches can preserve working with him all year long after which he could be re-signed on a budget, it provides the Jones household one thing they’ll attempt to promote within the wake of a doable Prescott exit.
Between spent cash and unsettled contract points at quarterback, Trey Lance has some non-football elements working in his favor. Ideally, he’ll work some issues out quickly and earn his means onto the roster. Nevertheless it’s hardly “backup or bust” for Lance at this level. He’d must be so dangerous and the Cowboys so determined for that 53rd roster spot to not make it now.
