Cowboys save $500,000 with Trey Lance decision ahead of season finale

On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys announced that former first-round draft pick Trey Lance will start in the Week 18 season finale. Lance hasn't made a start since Week 2 of the 2022 NFL season, when he played for the San Francisco 49ers. His long hiatus away from the starting role might likely be why the Cowboys want to get him out on the field.

However, Dallas' decision may not have anything to do with Lance. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who has assumed the starting role since Dak Prescott's hamstring injury in Week 9, has an incentive in his contract that would require Dallas to pay him a $500,000 bonus if he took 55% of the snaps. He is currently at 52.5%.

The Cowboys were 4-4 in Rush's eight starts this season. He, like Lance, will be a free agent this offseason. The decision regarding who will back up Prescott next season will be a top concern.

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy voiced confidence in Trey Lance

Trey Lance has made just four starts in his NFL career since being drafted with the third overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lance made two starts in 2021, and after being named the 49ers starting quarterback in 2022, suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2.

He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in August 2023 for a fourth-round draft pick. On Sunday, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said he believed the quarterback was ready for his first start in over two years.

"He's [Lance] been doing the right things," McCarthy said on 105.3 The Fan's 'All City Dallas.' "If I didn't think he was ready for this or prepared for this in way and it would keep us from the opportunity to win the game, then we wouldn't be making this decision."

Lance did get the start in the final preseason game of the summer against the Los Angeles Chargers. The quarterback completed 33 of 49 passes and had 323 yards and a touchdown. He did throw five interceptions, which is concerning.