With the Dallas Cowboys officially eliminated from playoff contention, the team’s focus for their Week 18 matchup against the Washington Commanders will likely shift to evaluating younger players and perhaps playing spoiler to their NFC East rivals. While the Cowboys’ season may not have ended how they envisioned, this final game of the year provides an opportunity to see how some of their younger players handle the pressure of a live game situation, especially with the team’s postseason hopes out of reach.
During an appearance on Shan & RJ on Audacy’s 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones addressed the team’s plans for Week 18, specifically the potential for backup quarterback Trey Lance to get more playing time. Jones was asked about the possibility of Lance seeing more action in the season finale, and he responded by saying, “We want to finish strong against Washington. We’ll look at that situation this week and see where we go from there.”
This statement suggests that, while the Cowboys are still focused on finishing the season strong, they are also open to giving Lance more reps and perhaps even starting him in what will be their final game of the year. With nothing left to lose and a desire to evaluate their personnel for the future, it makes sense for Dallas to take a look at the former No. 3 overall pick and see how he performs when given a more prominent role on the field.
Trey Lance’s Journey to Dallas
Lance’s road to Dallas has been anything but ordinary. After being selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, expectations were high for the young quarterback. Lance was seen as a potential future star with incredible athleticism, a strong arm, and raw potential, but he also came with a degree of inexperience, having started only one season at the collegiate level for North Dakota State.
His first two seasons in San Francisco were largely disappointing in terms of starting opportunities. Although Lance was considered the future of the 49ers’ quarterback position, the presence of Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter and injuries that sidelined Lance for much of his second season in 2022 limited his ability to make an impact on the field. In 2022, Lance started just two games before suffering a season-ending injury, which set the stage for the emergence of Brock Purdy as the 49ers’ starting quarterback.
After Purdy’s success and Garoppolo’s departure, the 49ers decided to part ways with Lance, trading him to the Cowboys in 2023 for a fourth-round draft pick. The move surprised many around the league, as it was seen as a major shift in the 49ers’ plans at quarterback. For the Cowboys, it was a low-risk move to acquire a highly touted young quarterback who had the potential to develop into a future starter. However, the acquisition came with the understanding that Dak Prescott was firmly entrenched as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, and Lance would primarily serve as a backup for the time being.
Since joining the Cowboys, Lance has played in only three games during the 2023 season, and his involvement has been minimal. Most recently, in a 41-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Lance entered the game but only attempted one pass. For the season, he has thrown just seven passes total, highlighting his limited role in the offense. As a result, it is fair to say that Lance has not had the chance to show much of what he is capable of, and the upcoming Week 18 game against Washington could serve as an important opportunity for the Cowboys to evaluate their investment in Lance.
The Case for Trey Lance in Week 18
With the Cowboys out of playoff contention, the Week 18 matchup against the Washington Commanders represents a low-stakes environment in which the Cowboys can experiment with their lineup and evaluate players like Lance. Although Prescott remains the undisputed starter, this game could serve as an opportunity to assess Lance’s development and potential. Given that Dallas has already invested in him, it would be wise to see what they have in him moving forward, especially with questions lingering about the future of the Cowboys’ quarterback position beyond Prescott.
There are several reasons why starting Lance or at least giving him the majority of the reps in Week 18 makes sense:
- Evaluating Future Potential: Trey Lance was brought in to be a future option for the Cowboys, but thus far, he has been largely untested. Playing him in a meaningful game—even one that doesn’t have playoff implications—will give the team a better idea of where he stands in his development. The Cowboys need to know whether Lance is someone who could step in as a viable backup or possibly even a future starter in a year or two if Prescott’s contract becomes more expensive or if the team opts to move in a different direction.
- Lance’s Development: For Lance, more playing time provides an invaluable opportunity to develop his skills and gain more experience at the NFL level. His time with the Cowboys has been spent primarily as a backup, so seeing more action would allow him to build confidence, improve his decision-making, and better understand the pace of the game. Given his inexperience and the limited opportunities he has had, this game could serve as an important developmental step for Lance.
- Playing Spoiler to Washington: While the Cowboys’ playoff hopes have been dashed, they can still play a role in deciding who makes it into the postseason. The Washington Commanders are also eliminated from playoff contention, but they will be motivated to finish the season on a strong note. By giving Lance a shot at quarterback, the Cowboys would not only be giving themselves a chance to evaluate a young player but could also potentially play spoiler to the Commanders’ efforts to finish the season on a positive note. A win against Washington would also serve as a strong momentum boost for Dallas heading into the offseason.
- Cooper Rush’s Future: Backup quarterback Cooper Rush has filled in admirably during Prescott’s absence in the past, but his status with the team is uncertain moving forward. If Rush remains with the Cowboys as a backup next season, the team will likely want to give him some snaps in the game as well to assess how he fits within their long-term plans. However, Rush’s role is likely secured as the team’s reliable second-string quarterback, whereas Lance’s potential remains more of a question mark. It would make sense for the Cowboys to prioritize evaluating Lance to determine whether he can eventually challenge for a starting role, or if he remains a long-term backup option.
- Dak Prescott’s Health and Future: Dak Prescott is the starter for now, and there’s no immediate threat to his job. However, as Prescott ages and his contract becomes more expensive, the Cowboys may want to explore their options at quarterback. Given that the team has invested in Lance, giving him more playing time now might help them better understand what they have for the future. The Cowboys must consider that Prescott’s contract and health could be issues down the line, and the team needs a clear vision of its quarterback situation heading into 2025.
What to Expect from Trey Lance
If Lance gets the start or a majority of the reps in Week 18, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching his performance. Given his lack of experience and the fact that he has thrown only seven passes this season, it’s difficult to predict how he will fare. Lance is still raw, and the Cowboys’ coaching staff will need to focus on getting him comfortable in the system and giving him enough time to showcase his skills. His mobility, strong arm, and potential to develop into a starting quarterback are all reasons why the Cowboys should be invested in his progress.
In conclusion, Week 18 against the Washington Commanders is a perfect opportunity for the Cowboys to evaluate Trey Lance, especially considering that there is no immediate pressure from playoff implications. The team needs to determine if Lance has the potential to contribute to the franchise’s future or if the Cowboys should pursue other options at quarterback in the offseason. With Dak Prescott firmly entrenched as the starter, the team can afford to take a look at their younger quarterbacks and assess what they have for the future. Regardless of the result, this game will be an important stepping stone in determining the future direction of the Cowboys’ quarterback position.
