The struggling Dallas Cowboys have another big decision to make at quarterback.
While Dak Prescott faces potential season-ending surgery, the 3-6 Cowboys are technically still in contention for a playoff spot.
Trey Lance could receive another shot to prove his first-round draft pick status[/caption]
More importantly for Mike McCarthy, the former Super Bowl winner with Green Bay is in the final year of his contract with Dallas.
With owner Jerry Jones and star defender Micah Parsons appearing to take shots at the embattled coach, McCarthy must find a way to move the Cowboys forward.
A key game against the in-state rival Houston Texans could give McCarthy that opportunity.
Dallas was quick to promote back-up Cooper Rush once Prescott went down with a hamstring injury that saw the tendon come off the bone.
But Rush struggled during a 34-6 home blowout defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Lance eventually saw on-field action, completing 4-of-6 passes for 21 yards.
But he also threw an interception and was sacked twice.
Jones said after the defeat that he doesn’t intend to fire McCarthy midseason.
“I don’t believe we’ll make a coaching change during the season,” the owner said.
But McCarthy’s decision about the Cowboys’ QB against the Texans and beyond could be pivotal for his coaching future.
Mike McCarthy could turn to Lance as Dallas’ new starting QB[/caption]
Lance has struggled to find a place in the NFL[/caption]
If he chooses Lance and the Cowboys find a late-season groove, Jones could conceivably bring him back in 2025.
Success for Lance would also create more pressure for Prescott, who is 2-5 all-time in the playoffs, despite being the highest-paid player in NFL history based off average annual value and possessing a $240million contract.
But Lance has, thus far, been a major NFL disappointment.
He was pegged as San Francisco’s future franchise QB after being the No. 3 overall pick out of North Dakota State in 2021.
Lance barely made an impact with the 49ers, eventually watching Brock Purdy — the final pick of the 2022 draft — take over.
Lance has completed 55.6 percent of his NFL passes for 818 yards, five TDs and four INTs.
Lance was talented enough in college to be a top first-round pick[/caption]
He’s also run for 252 yards and has dual-threat potential.
A home loss to the Texans on next week’s Monday Night Football would be another low blow for Jones and the Cowboys.
If Dallas turns the ball over to Lance, McCarthy must be right — or he’s certain to be fired.
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, and you can stay up to date with all the latest from around the league via our dedicated ‘EndZone’ YouTube channel.
