Cowboys Backup QB Hasn’t Had Real Shot as NFL Starter
The Miami Dolphins’ future at quarterback is entirely uncertain with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on the injured reserve list (IR) for at least the next four weeks due to his third confirmed concussion in two years.
At this point, Miami has to consider both its short-term and long-term future at the position as it remains unclear if and when Tagovailoa will return in 2024 — and if he doesn’t, what that means for the 26-year-old’s career moving forward.
With that as context, ESPN’s Dan Graziano mentioned Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Trey Lance and former No. 3 overall pick as a potential option ahead of the NFL’s November 5 trade deadline.
“It’s difficult to predict Tua Tagovailoa’s future in the wake of his third diagnosed concussion. But there is uncertainty in the short term and long term,” Graziano wrote. “Again, if they stay in contention and find out Tagovailoa isn’t coming back this season, the Dolphins will be looking for signal-caller options.”
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Graziano also mentioned Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers as potential ways forward for the Dolphins this season.
Lance, however, might be the best of both worlds when it comes to Tagovailoa’s uncertain future. He has impressive pedigree as the former No. 3 overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2021.
The Niners planned to hand the franchise over to Lance, though he suffered a broken ankle in the second game of his second season and eventually lost his job to Brock Purdy while still sidelined by that injury.
San Francisco ultimately traded Lance to the Cowboys for a fourth-round pick, presumably as insurance against starting QB Dak Prescott leaving in free agency. But with Prescott now under contract for the next five years as the highest-paid player in league history, there is no clear path for Lance to get on the field — save for injury.
Lance is still just 24 years old and showed some bright spots as a dual-threat QB during his rookie campaign in San Francisco. He impressed teams during the draft process with his knowledge of Xs and Os, and just his for the game in general.
If Tagovailoa comes back healthy, Lance is potentially an upgrade over Skylar Thompson as a backup option. If Tagovailoa can’t come back, or does and gets injured again, Lance has the type of talent to take advantage of Miami’s high-octane group of skill position players.
