Mike McCarthy responds to Trey Lance question every Dallas Cowboys fan had while watching Week 17 loss to Eagles
While watching the Dallas Cowboys get blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles despite Jalen Hurts not playing, just about every fan and media member wondered why didn't the coaching staff put Trey Lance in for Cooper Rush? Now granted, Lance did little to earn the job over Rush back in the preseason but the latter […]
While watching the Dallas Cowboys get blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles despite Jalen Hurts not playing, just about every fan and media member wondered why didn't the coaching staff put Trey Lance in for Cooper Rush?
Now granted, Lance did little to earn the job over Rush back in the preseason but the latter was struggling on Sunday, particularly in the second half, and with nothing to fight for, why not let the young QB get some playing time with the game so out of reach?
Asked if he thought about playing Lance earlier in the game, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy revealed he did. However, not nearly as early as fans did.
"I did (think about playing Lance) the series before," McCarthy told reporters postgame.
Instead, Lance played the final drive with 2:22 remaining in the fourth quarter and attempted one pass, which went for a one yard gain. The drive resulted in a three-and-out while down 41-7, the final score. The Cowboys didn't go for it on fourth and seven.
But even if Lance had gotten in the drive before, it still would've felt like way too late. The Lance saga in Dallas continues to be difficult to figure out. Has he gotten no chances because he's been that bad in practice? Or is the staff simply infatuated with Cooper Rush's career record as a starter?
Interestingly enough, ESPN insider Ed Werder tweeted during the game that seeing Lance play would be "Doubtful as he seems to have no support from coaching staff or front office."
Having finally given Lance a chance, if we can even call it that, the door appears to be open for the youngster to play in Week 18, as McCarthy didn't commit to any quarterback following the loss.
"I don't know, I'm not there yet," he said.
The Cowboys lost their ninth game of the season on Sunday, making it the second losing season under McCarthy including 2020. The head coach will enter Week 18 with it being the final game left on his deal before diving into what could be a very interesting offseason for him.
Over the next few days, expect him to field many more follow-up questions about the starting quarterback for the matchup against the Washington Commanders.
