Draft bust quarterback Trey Lance will receive significant reps in the season finale against the Washington Commanders. According to sources, the Dallas Cowboys will finally allow Lance as the starting quarterback to evaluate the roster before the season is over. Originally selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, since arriving in Dallas, Lance never got a full-season start since operating as the third-string quarterback behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy is not naming any starter but this could be a dream for Lance who will hit free agency in March hoping for a starting opportunity. Lance did not start behind Jimmy Garropolo as a rookie with the San Francisco 49ers until taking a very short run before Brock Purdy took over as the main starter. Many hoped Lance would get a chance in Dallas after a trade from the 49ers in 2022, but that didn’t last since extending Prescott to a new long-term deal. However, it’ll still be surprising if they start Rush over Lance considering he’s been sitting on the sidelines all season despite the Cowboys not attempting to embrace the tank.
Three teams like the Panthers, Saints and Browns will probably be watching closely since all these rosters may be looking for a new signal-caller. They all have different situations but Trey Lance’s hunger to receive significant reps could draw attention if he lights up the field against the Commanders on Sunday.
Trey Lance To Receive “Significant Reps” in Season Finale – Panthers, Saints, Browns Could Be Watching
Carolina Panthers
Assuming Bryce Young will be back with the Carolina Panthers for another season, the team should probably take a chance on Trey Lance. The Panthers came into the season 0-2 before benching Young in favor of Andy Dalton. However, Dalton is nothing more but a bridge quarterback who will just get a couple of starts in the league in case a team’s starting quarterback goes down with an injury. The Panthers signing Lance gives the team longevity and new life in the signal-caller depth chart.
There’s no word on what head coach Dave Canales will do but after benching Young for the first time this 2024 campaign, he may be looking for a new quarterback this offseason.
New Orleans Saints
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints will have a completely different team next season depending on the moves they make in free agency. Veteran quarterback Derek Carr should still be on the hot seat considering he wasn’t fully healthy for the majority of the 2024 campaign and wasn’t producing what the Saints were looking for. Let’s say Chris Olave does come back, the Saints still have issues spending money on a roster that needs improvement.
The team could start over and take a chance on Lance to see what he could do for Fall 2025 while the Saints attempt to rebuild under General Manager Mickey Loomis.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns will probably need to embrace the tank for a couple more years since they’re projected to lose several veterans this free agency. The good news is that quarterback Deshaun Watson will come back but they should bring in another signal-caller to give some extra life if Watson doesn’t work out. There are no plans for Jameis Winston to return to the team so they should bring in Lance and share the snaps with Watson to see if he can revive this roster despite if they lose several stars this offseason.
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