In a preseason finale against the Chargers, Trey Lance showcased his potential and growth as a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Although he threw for an impressive 323 yards and a touchdown, ran for 90 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown, and played a significant role in the team's offensive game, Lance also struggled with five interceptions, one of which resulted in a pick-six. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones observed both the positives and areas for improvement in Lance's game and expressed confidence in his future with the team.

Jones acknowledged that Lance needed the opportunity to gain more playing time, particularly in the NFL, where his lack of experience was evident. Despite the interceptions, Jones emphasized the value of the game for Lance's development, stating, "I hate that those five interceptions are going to be a stat on a game that I couldn't have asked for more reps and a better situation to watch him play. He needed that because the one thing he's missing more than anything is the lack of reps, much less NFL reps."

With Lance's contract counting $5.310 million against the salary cap this season and all the money guaranteed, the Cowboys will be among the few teams to carry a third quarterback on their 53-player roster. However, it is unlikely that Lance will return next season after his contract expires. Despite this, Jones expressed no regrets about the trade that brought Lance to the Cowboys, especially since no other team offered a deal close to what Dallas put on the table.

Jones laughed off suggestions that a fourth-round pick seemed excessive for Lance, comparing it to their successful acquisition of Dak Prescott in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. The Cowboys choose to focus on Lance's potential rather than the hypothetical alternatives, mentioning that they could have used the pick on another position, such as a running back.

Throughout the preseason, Lance has shown improvement, impressing Jones with his growth and development over the past six weeks. Jones emphasized the importance of seeing Lance's arrow pointing upwards, acknowledging the significant strides he has made in both practice and games. Considering Lance's limited football experience, having played only nine high school and 17 college games before joining the NFL, the Cowboys view his progress as promising.

While Lance has played eight regular-season NFL games, starting four, he remains a young quarterback at just 24 years old. It is still too early to determine if he has a long-term future with the Cowboys. However, Jones remains optimistic about Lance's potential, acknowledging that the sample size is still small.

As the trade decision looms, Jones is not ready to label the deal a bad trade just yet. He acknowledged the value that Lance's preseason performances provided for both the team and the player, highlighting the positive aspects of Lance's game that indicate his potential to contribute to the Cowboys' success.

The Cowboys will carefully evaluate Lance's progress and the implications of his contract in the coming seasons. As the young quarterback continues to develop and gain valuable experience, his future with the team hangs in the balance. Only time will tell if the trade for Lance was a worthwhile investment for the Dallas Cowboys.