The Dallas Cowboys concluded their preseason on Saturday, with head coach Mike McCarthy opting to rest his starters, providing a golden opportunity for Trey Lance to showcase his abilities as a potential standout backup quarterback. However, instead of seizing the moment, Lance struggled mightily, committing five turnovers, taking three sacks, and fumbling twice. Despite racking up an impressive 413 total yards, his performance drew significant criticism for his lack of ball security and poor decision-making.
While many fans and analysts were quick to dismiss Lance’s future in the NFL after such a dismal showing, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III offered a different perspective.
Griffin acknowledged Lance’s struggles but pointed out some positives in his performance, particularly his ability to make plays on the ground. Griffin suggested that Lance still has untapped potential that could be harnessed with more live game reps.
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To Griffin’s credit, Lance had only thrown two interceptions by the time he scored on a touchdown run, a moment that Griffin highlighted as a positive. However, Lance’s night quickly unraveled as he went on to throw three more interceptions, including a pick-six, further compounding his issues.
Unsurprisingly, Lance’s performance led many fans to believe that his chances of making it in the league had taken a significant hit. The widespread sentiment was that his inability to protect the football and read defenses effectively, especially against backup players and third-stringers in a preseason game, spelled trouble for his future prospects.
Despite the mounting criticism, Griffin and some other national media figures continue to hold out hope that Lance can turn things around. They argue that with consistent live game experience, Lance could develop into a more reliable quarterback. However, the challenges he faces are significant. Coaches in the NFL have little tolerance for quarterbacks who consistently turn the ball over and struggle with decision-making, no matter how tantalizing their rushing abilities might be.
Lance’s potential as a dual-threat quarterback is undeniable, but his propensity for taking sacks and making costly mistakes is a major red flag. In a league where ball security is paramount, these flaws could overshadow his athletic talents, making it difficult for coaches to justify giving him the chances he needs to develop.
As the Cowboys move forward, the question remains whether Lance can overcome these obstacles and prove that he is worth investing in.
For now, his performance on Saturday has left his future in the NFL hanging in the balance, with opinions divided on whether he can salvage his career.
