Cowboys News: Trey Lance, Trevon Diggs, DeMarvion Overshown, Saquon Barkley
By Jerry Trotta
Dallas Cowboys fans are waiting for the first domino of the offseason to fall. That will likely come in the form of a Dak Prescott contract extension, but the Cowboys have another important decision to make involving their quarterback room.
With Cooper Rush headed for free agency, Trey Lance will presumably be Prescott's backup next season. That doesn't necessarily mean Lance will be the long-term backup or Prescott's potential successor, however.
In light of the NFL announcing its 2024 salary cap will be $255.4 million, we learned of the fifth-year option for the 2021 draft class. A former No. 3 overall pick in 2021, Lance's option for the 2025 season is a lofty $22.408 million.
Lance only carries a $5.3 million cap hit for next season, but the fifth-year option becomes fully guaranteed if Dallas picks it up. That's an obscene price to pay for a likely backup whom we've seen very little of in a Cowboys uniform, let alone his NFL career.
And here are the fifth-year option numbers for 2021 first-round picks — a list including Trevor Lawrence, Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Penei Sewell, Pat Surtain II, DeVonta Smith, Justin Fields and Micah Parsons, among others.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 23, 2024
Teams have until May 2 to exercise the options. pic.twitter.com/DHbJUB5sQQ
Cowboys expected to decline Trey Lance's fifth-year option
The early indications are that the Cowboys will decline Lance's option. Only Mike Fisher of CowboysSI.com has reported on the matter.
We'd wait until the more prominent Cowboys insiders -- like Michael Gehlken (Dallas Morning News), Jon Machota (The Athletic) and Todd Archer (ESPN) -- confirm the inevitable, but it's hardly a surprise that Dallas seemingly isn't planning to pick up Lance's option.
That would make for an interesting conversation in regard to the trade and Lance's future with the Cowboys, but let's wait until a decision is made before we delve into that.