Trey Lance shares his mindset has not changed despite uncertain future with Cowboys

Trey Lance will be competing to be Dak Prescott’s backup in OTAs, mini camp and likely through entire preseason schedule. And who knows, he may be QB1 beyond this season.

It’s all because the Cowboys now have questions about a position that seemed to be steady up until the end of the 2023 season. But Prescott will be entering his final season in Dallas if sides don’t agree on a contract. Lance was the No. 3 player selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. Although he didn’t play a down last season, he’s a buzzed about future option for the Cowboys.

Lance said despite all the renewed attention, he’s remained the same, at least mentally.

“My mindset hasn’t changed,” Lance told reporters this week. “I haven’t attacked this offseason any differently. Controlling what I can control, continuing to learn the offense and building trust with these guys and the coaching staff as well.

“I’m excited. I haven’t played a snap, obviously, since last preseason,” Lance said. “I’m just excited and looking forward to it and making sure I’m ready when that time does come.”

No one is talking about Lance competing against Prescott for the top job. Rather, Lance is vying with Cooper Rush for the job to be Prescott’s backup. He hasn’t played in a game since Aug. 19. That’s when he wore a 49ers jersey. His last snaps in a regular season game came on Sept. 18, 2022. That’s when he, briefly, was the team’s starter.

But Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury and his starting career with the 49ers lasted all of two games. Everybody in the NFL knows the rest. Brock Purdy took over the offense later that season and Lance, the one-time future San Fran superstar, became expendable. The Cowboys traded for Lance last August. His cost was a 2024 fourth-round draft pick.

But through a change of teams and a couple more changes in offense, Lance says his confidence hasn’t been an issue. In fact, he said it was “much higher than it was when I got into the NFL, for sure”

He added “I kind of didn’t know what to expect. I think that’s probably most rookies, if not all of them at one point or another throughout that first year. I feel great about where I’m at. Continuing to get better, continuing to learn and continuing to be a better quarterback.”

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy likes Lance’s athleticism. It’s “top notch,” the head coach says. Dallas coaches have tweaked his throwing motion and some of footwork with the drop backs.

“You can see the improvement in his timing.,” McCarthy said.

By the start of August’s preseason schedule, McCarthy said Cowboys fans will be seeing a lot of Lance. Prescott, who will be 31 at the start of training camp, doesn’t need the reps. Lance does.

“We’re trying to get him as many reps as we can throughout this offseason program,” McCarthy said of Lance. “And he will take a large part of the preseason. That’s the design. Him and I talk about preseason quite often, because that’s what we’re building towards.”