Since they are eliminated from the playoffs, the Cowboys are planning to use their Week 18 as an opportunity to evaluate their roster heading ahead of the 2025 season.
That will include quarterback Trey Lance, who is expected “to get significant reps” on Sunday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Lance has only appeared in three regular season games since arriving in Dallas via trade in August 2023 with just 38 total passing attempts since the beginning of the 2022 season. This year, he’s completed five of his seven passes for 22 yards and an interception across 20 total snaps.
Lance is set to hit free agency this offseason, so Sunday’s game will be an opportunity to audition for a new contract. He has never lived up to his billing as the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but his athletic tools could be tantalizing to a team searching for a new backup quarterback.
The Cowboys may still start Cooper Rush, per Rapoport, as they have since Dak Prescott went down with a season-ending injury in early November. However, an extended appearance by Lance could have significant financial consequences for Rush. He has already earned $250k for playing 45% of the Cowboys’ offensive snaps this year and could double that if he hits 55% by the end of Week 18, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.
“We’re aware,” said Rush with a chuckle about his incentive. The 31-year-old quarterback’s snap share currently sits at 52.3%. A full game could earn him another $250k, but the Cowboys’ desire to evaluate Lance could get in the way.