Trey Lance gifts Cowboys' backup QB job to Cooper Rush with ugly interceptions

For the third straight week, the Dallas Cowboys rested all of their starters in Saturday's preseason finale against the LA Chargers. Unlike the first two games, though, Trey Lance got the start at quarterback ahead of Cooper Rush. That wasn't some declaration that Lance won the backup job, however.

The Cowboys planned to play Lance the entire game. Mike McCarthy has repeatedly stated that Lance needs as many reps as possible. There was nothing to gain by playing Rush, whom McCarthy proclaimed had his best training camp in McCarthy's four years as head coach.

Lance's preseason has been defined by peaks and valleys, but he started off Saturday's game scorching hot. He placed a beautiful downfield pass to Tyron Billy-Johnson in a tight window near the sideline on the first drive. Further, his athleticism has caused problems for the Chargers. Lance has turned multiple would-be sacks into positive gains.

Just when it was all coming together for Lance, though, he threw an ugly interception on a simple sideline route to Jalen Cropper. The 24-year-old didn't put enough zip on the pass and left it inside, making it easy for veteran Tony Jefferson to jump the route and pick it off.

Ugly Trey Lance interceptions may gift Cooper Rush the Cowboys' backup QB job

This has been the story with Lance. He makes the occasional jaw-dropping play, but will turn around and brick a breakaway layup on the next snap. This pass was as routine as they come and Lance left it short by at least five feet. A properly-thrown ball would have moved the chains with ease.

Throwing on the move, Lance's raw arm talent should have bailed him out. Whether it was a lapse in concentration or otherwise, these mistakes cannot happen.

While Lance bounced back to connect with rookie receiver Ryan Flournoy for a touchdown (their second TD link-up in as many weeks), the turnover likely carries more weight than the score. After all, shouldn't a former third overall pick be able to lead a touchdown drive against backups?

The tricky thing with Lance is that he's definitely improving. He threw a pretty seam ball to John Stephens Jr. just before halftime.

As sure is the day is long, though, bad Lance returned shortly thereafter in the form of an even uglier interception. With the Cowboys driving, Lance forced a ball into traffic and was picked off in the end zone. It was second down. He should have lived to fight another down by dirting the throw or scrambling. Another inexcusable mistake that all but gifts Rush the backup job.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter and Lance forced another throw into tight coverage that was picked off. Only this one was returned to the house for a touchdown. It was a 20-19 ballgame at the time, so the turnover -- Lance's third of the game -- put Dallas down by a score. Another careless mistake that all but gifts Rush the backup job.

Lance has certainly showed glimpses of being a competent backup. If Prescott suffered a major injury, Lance would be the pick to start games. With the season effectively over, what would Dallas have to lose? However, Rush would (or should) be the preferred option to keep the ship afloat if Prescott was only going to miss a few games.

Lance has simply had too many boneheaded moments to be entrusted with one of the most important jobs on the roster.

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