As the NFL offseason continues, the Dallas Cowboys are preparing to make decisions on several players who will become free agents next month.
According to Spotrac, 20 Cowboys will hit the open market on March 12 — including backup quarterbacks Trey Lance and Cooper Rush. While there's no question about who will be Dallas' starting QB next season (Dak Prescott), many fans are wondering who will serve as the QB2 in 2025 and beyond.
While there's still plenty of time for America's Team to re-sign either free-agent QB, one of those signal-caller's time in the Lone Star State is likely over following executive vice president/CEO Stephen Jones' latest remarks.
Cowboys News: Stephen Jones Rules out Trey Lance Return
During his attendance at the NFL scouting combine, Jones spoke with The Dallas Morning News' David Moore about the Cowboys' quarterback situation. Even though there's time for the situation to change, the 60-year-old executive made it clear he doesn't expect Lance to return.
"We think the world of Trey," Jones said, adding that the Cowboys "took a shot" on Lance nearly two years ago. "But us having Dak signed up for the long-term, I think he’s probably going to be looking for something different."
Stephen Jones says Cowboys want to draft a QB, likely ending Trey Lance’s time in Dallas https://t.co/YiuZvvunoc
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) February 24, 2025
It isn't surprising that the Cowboys are ready to move on from Lance.
Despite being acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick in August 2023, the former North Dakota State QB only made one start in a Dallas jersey. That came against the Washington Commanders in Week 18 last season as Lance only completed 58.8% of passes for 244 yards without a touchdown and an 81.0 passer rating.
Now, the former 2021 third-overall selection is left looking for a new employment opportunity while the Cowboys search backup QBs who fits their financial situation.
Prescott, 31, signed a monstrous four-year, $240 million extension ahead of last season that will keep him in Dallas through 2028. Even if the Cowboys restructure his $89.9 million cap hit for next season, the lack of spending money is pushing Jones & Co. to pursue cheaper backup QB options through the draft.
"You know, I think one of our goals is to get a young quarterback in the draft," Jones said. "I don’t know where that’s going to be... They always go so much higher than what you think."
Hearing the Cowboys are looking to draft a quarterback isn't something that fans are used to. Since 2010, they have only used three draft picks on QBs: Prescott (2016), Mike White (2018), and Ben DiNucci (2020).
Considering how White and DiNucci didn't pan out and are no longer with the franchise, Dallas must make a better decision this time around.
Fortunately, the Cowboys currently hold 10 picks in this year's draft, giving them plenty of ammunition to target a rookie signal-caller. While they could use a Day 1 or 2 selection on a quarterback, they can also wait and use one of their seven Day 3 picks on a project arm to develop as Prescott finishes out his contract.
Expect more about the Cowboys' interest in the 2025 QB class to be revealed as the NFL combine continues this week.