Trey Lance Struggles in Preseason Opener as Cowboys Fall to Chargers 26-19

Arlington, Texas – In a preseason showdown on Saturday, Trey Lance had the opportunity to showcase his skills as the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. While the game had its bright moments, it ultimately ended in disappointment as the Cowboys fell to the Los Angeles Chargers with a score of 26-19.

Lance, who was the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, threw for a solid 323 yards, completing 67.3% of his passes. However, the day took a turn for the worse as he also recorded an alarming five interceptions. This marked a tough outing for the young quarterback, especially with such high expectations placed upon him.

In addition to his passing struggles, Lance demonstrated his mobility by leading the team in rushing, achieving 90 yards on 11 carries, which included a impressive 46-yard touchdown run. Despite this notable performance on the ground, his passing game overshadowed the highlights.

The interceptions began to pile up in the second quarter, with the first one occurring at midfield. Lance managed to guide the team into scoring position at the beginning of the second half, but his second interception halted the momentum. Following a couple of scoring drives by Dallas, his last three possessions all ended in turnovers, with one of those interceptions being returned for a touchdown by the Chargers. The final interception happened as time expired, with the Cowboys positioned on the Chargers’ 20-yard line and attempting to tie the game.

Trey Lance’s career has been rocky since being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, where he initially was viewed as the potential successor to Jimmy Garoppolo. However, after a season-ending injury in 2022 and the emergence of quarterback Brock Purdy, he was traded to the Cowboys last year. Currently, he stands as the third-string quarterback behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush, with the Cowboys having declined his fifth-year option, setting him up to become a free agent after this season.

As the Cowboys prepare for the upcoming regular season, the clock is ticking for Lance to find his footing and regain confidence as a valuable asset to the team.