Cowboys' Jerry Jones refuses to admit defeat on Trey Lance trade after dreadful game

The Dallas Cowboys lost their final preseason game on Saturday. While nobody cares about the outcome, it carries some weight in this instance as Trey Lance's performance was the single biggest reason why the Cowboys were on the losing side.

Mistakes were aplenty for Lance on Saturday. Desperate to stake his claim as the backup quarterback behind Dak Prescott, Lance threw a whopping five interceptions. That alone is troubling, but each turnover was worse than the previous one.

While Lance had some encouraging moments, his development is a process that's going to take longer than the Cowboys can afford to wait. It's been the worst-kept secret since day one of camp that that Cooper Rush will be QB2. Lance's performance just confirmed the inevitable.

In the bigger picture, trading for Lance looks like a big regret. Despite that being painfully obvious, Jerry Jones refused to accept defeat after the QB's five-interception outing. Just like he did earlier in the week, Jones stated that Lance will be on the 53-man roster. He also doubled down the trade.

Cowboys' Jerry Jones backs Trey Lance after five-interception performance in preseason finale

"For a 4th-round pick? Are you kidding me?," Jones said about the Lance trade, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. "Although we did get Dak with our second 4th-round pick (in 2016). But we’ve had some that didn’t play in the 4th round, too."

Typically a quarterback would lose their job after a five-interception game. Lance became the first quarterback since at least 2015 to throw five or more INTs in a preseason game, per the Associated Press.

In fairness to Jones, the Cowboys have nothing to gain from cutting Lance. They would save nothing on the salary cap and absorb $5.31 million in dead money, per Over The Cap. His salary this season is guaranteed. The new emergency third-QB rule also bode well for Lance. It was never expected that he would get cut regardless of how he played in preseason.

However, Jones' insistence on defending the trade is the latest in a long list of terrible looks for the team owner. The Cowboys acquired Lance for a 2024 fourth-round pick. While Dak Prescott's future is still up in the air, this roster would look a lot better with a rookie running back, don't you think?

The front office was praised at the time of the deal for buying low on a lottery ticket. After all the quarterback movement this offseason, though, it's clear that Dallas got fleeced. Mac Jones (42 career starts), Justin Fields (38 career starts) and Zach Wilson (33 career starts) were each had for less than what the Cowboys gave up for Lance, who had four starts under his belt.

While Jones' statement is a complete lack of self awareness, think about the message it sends to players that are fighting for a roster spot.

Maybe Jones knows Lance doesn't have a future with the Cowboys and is merely saving face to the media. Whatever the case, Jones continuing to support Lance and defend the trade is a perfect encapsulation of the stubbornness that has plagued this franchise for years.

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