Jerry Jones Trusts Trey Lance to Succeed Dak Prescott as Dallas Cowboys Prepare to Move On From Veteran Stars

With Trey Lance’s entry into the Dallas Cowboys, what happens to Dak Prescott? The Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, was optimistic about the 23-year-old player and hence, seems to be in the long-term plan of the team.

In his recent presser by Dallas Cowboys after the draft, Jones shared he was content with his choice, lauding the young QB by saying, “We think Lance is a good addition. Trey Lance to um looking ahead at having uh addressing the quarterback position depth otherwise.. .I’ve got it right here again, got him right here in this draft as though uh he were a draft pick for us.”

“But there’s a lot of young players here. We had about a handful of them last year that didn’t play or get to play, meet expectation. They got to come on so that when you see us rolling off, I don’t want to be elementary here, but when you see us rolling off of some of our great names of guys that have been here ten years, nine years…”

His statement hinted clearly toward two factors all Cowboys fans had been eagerly waiting for. One is that despite Jerry Jones’ initial focus on going “all-in” this season, the hints were hardly toward their current QB1 Dak Prescott. His previous statement about Prescott being there to guide Lance gives a clear-cut indication of the future preferability of the young star over the veteran Quarterback.

The second matter remains that in the light of Lance taking over, the chances of Prescott’s contract ending early or him not being retained seem to have increased tenfold. He might be on his way to free agency in 2025. Given their future plan, for a team that might potentially start negotiating Dak Prescott’s exit plan, Lance couldn’t have arrived at a better time. His elite arm talent and dual-threat capabilities were on full display at North Dakota State, landing him the No. 3 overall draft slot in 2021.

And though injuries limited his pro reps in San Francisco, Jones is convinced that Lance’s insane work ethic and physical tools make him the ideal heir to Prescott’s throne. “His athletic ability, his arm strength,” Jones raved to reporters on Friday about what first stood out. Of course, Jones knows better than to shove their golden-armed prospect into the fire too quickly.

The plan might be for Lance to marinate under Dak’s tutelage before potentially taking the reins (Dallas has opted against exercising his $22.4 million fifth-year option). It’s a luxury afforded by a “quarterback-friendly” system that Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has implemented.

Talking in a similar context, the 81-year-old owner highlighted how the presence of a senior player would work in the team. “Well, he gives us an opportunity to – at a level that we probably had never gone in the draft – to work and develop a young quarterback,” Jones said. “And, you need to be doing that.” He further affirmed the focus being on developing Lance and creating a learning environment for him by remarking, “We’ll give him that kind of exposure with our coaches.”

“Main thing is, our quarterback room, with the best leader I ever saw with Dak Prescott, will give him every chance to be the quarterback that he’s got the potential of being.” Amidst all the learnings shared by the two Quarterbacks, the reality check of Jones preferring the young QB over Cowboys-loyal Prescott turns heads all around.

Jerry Jones prefers the youthfulness of Trey Lance!

The Trey Lance acquisition represents far more than just an investment in quarterback depth for America’s Team. As Jerry Jones bluntly stated during the post-draft press conference, it’s a strategic move anticipating an inevitable “rolling off of some of our great names of guys that have been here ten years, nine years.”

Long-tenured veteran stars could very well be among those cap casualties Jones alludes to letting go. With big salaries on the books, Dallas may have no choice but to part ways with aging foundational pieces. But the changing of the guard extends beyond just a few players. Jones made it clear, “They’ve got to be coming with some young guys, guys behind them that if they get a chance they’ll go.” That philosophy signals an overall youth movement is coming.

The owner of the Dallas team pointed toward two main factors that make him edge in favor of Lance. He reflected upon “availability and no injuries” to be the points that tilted his scale to incline toward Trey Lance, despite the initial wish to continue with Prescott. Jerry Jones seemed adamant on the fact that to grow further as a side and move ahead, the Cowboys seemed to necessitate the need to get out of old habits and start focusing on building young talent.

However, amidst all the changes taking over, the scene of heartbreak for the Dallas supporters might be witnessing Dak Prescott don a different jersey after years of being with the team. The recent struggle of the QB on the gridiron, especially to take the team post the qualifying to playoffs phase, hardly marrs the efforts he has put in for the side. His feat of 2595 completions in 3873 passes with a completion rate of 67.0, alongside covering 29459 yards with 202 TDs till 2023 would be a hard feat to achieve for any successor of his.

Yet, as Jones stated with a nod to the future, “We’ve got to have some of these guys be special as we think they might be here, but this is this way you got to roll this thing.” It’s precisely why Jones is ensuring the quarterback position is solidified long-term, with the acquisition of Trey Lance under the rightful guidance of an experienced Dak Prescott.