The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season has been a study of frustration, filled with false hope and unmet expectations. The team is clinging to a 5-8 record and dealing with franchise quarterback Dak Prescott’s exit for the season due to a hamstring tear.
Cooper Rush has been filling in for Prescott, but the Cowboys might need a change of scenery with another talented quarterback, Trey Lance, sitting on the bench. Former Cowboys All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant believes the Cowboys need to switch to Lance if they want to salvage what’s left of the season.
Dez Bryant Campaigns for Dallas Cowboys QB Trey Lance
“America’s Team” is virtually out of playoff contention despite back-to-back wins before losing 27-20 to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. As things stand, the Philadelphia Eagles dominate the NFC East at 11-2, and the Washington Commanders sit at 8-5 and currently own the final Wild Card spot.
For Dallas to have even a slim chance, they’d need to win all their upcoming games, and even then, tiebreakers and other hurdles make it almost impossible. This season has left their fans questioning again about what went wrong and, more importantly, what comes next.
Dez Bryant stirred up the conversation on X (formerly Twitter) when he posted, “Trey Lance deserves a shot.”
Trey Lance deserve a shot
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) December 10, 2024
Those six words have renewed attention to Lance, the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Dallas acquired Lance in 2023 from the San Francisco 49ers, trading a fourth-round pick for a player once considered a future star.
With Prescott’s $240 million contract nearing its end and his absence from the current season, many saw Lance as a potential successor. However, nearly a year and a half later, the quarterback has yet to get a real opportunity to prove his worth.
However, Bryant’s suggestion isn’t just about saving the season. Cooper Rush has been reliable as a backup, registering 1,191 yards and seven touchdowns in the 2024 NFL season, but he’s not the long-term answer.
Starting Lance would allow the team to evaluate whether he can fulfill the promise he once showed in college football at North Dakota State or if it’s time to move on and look for a new quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The stakes for Dallas are high. If Lance proves capable, it sets the stage for him to claim QB and/or potentially become a trade asset. If not, the team can move forward with clarity, potentially preparing themselves for a top-15 draft pick.
The ball is now in Jerry Jones’ court once again. Will the Dallas front office heed the advice of one of their former players, or will they stick to their current approach, risking more of the same results?