Negative Report on Trey Lance's Cowboys Future Emerges

The Dallas Cowboys have several big roster decisions to make during the 2024 offseason. Aside from a possible big-money extension for Dak Prescott, the Cowboys must choose whether or not to pick up backup quarterback Trey Lance's fifth-year option.

With the price tag for that extra year being finalized this past week, a new report on Lance's future in Dallas has emerged.

Mike Fisher of SI Cowboys says Dallas "paying him that [the fifth-year option] is not in the master plan here inside The Star." This news arrives on the heels of the fifth-year option price being set at $22.4 million for Lance for the 2025 campaign.

Instead, Fisher notes the most likely scenarios involve either hoping Lance does enough in the preseason to garner trade interest, or the two sides agree on a new deal before he hits free agency in 2025 if the option is declined.

Prescott being entrenched as starter, and the front office not backing down from its commitment to him, puts Lance in a tough spot. His current ceiling on this roster is only as a backup, and he even has competition there with Cooper Rush serving as QB2 throughout the 2023 season.

Paying $22 million for a backup would be ridiculous, so the only way Lance would really be worth the fifth-year option is if he surpasses Prescott, but that seems like a very slim possibility.

That leaves Lance likely looking for a new home in 2025. Considering how young he is and his previously high draft stock, the North Dakota State product would surely like at least a chance to prove his NFL worth as a starter, instead of settling for a backup gig.

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