In a disappointing turn of events for Trey Lance, the preseason finale proved to be a nightmare for his aspirations of becoming the Dallas Cowboys' QB2 and a potential replacement for Dak Prescott. Lance's five-interception day in a 26-19 loss not only jeopardized his chances of moving up in the depth chart but also potentially diminished any trade value he had established before the game.

While it's worth noting that Lance didn't have the opportunity to play alongside the starters, his lackluster performance raises questions about his suitability as a starting quarterback in the NFL. The Cowboys had hoped that Lance could eventually step into the shoes of Prescott, especially if a contract extension was out of the question. However, after his disastrous outing, those hopes seem to have been dashed.

The Cowboys now find themselves in a precarious position with their quarterback situation. Prescott's contract negotiations have been a point of contention, with the possibility of overpaying him being ruled out. If Prescott is unwilling to offer the team a hometown discount, it's unlikely that he will remain in Dallas beyond 2025. This leaves Cooper Rush as the most viable option for the backup quarterback position. Rush, with his solid record as a starter (5-1), could serve as a bridge between Prescott and the Cowboys' next starting quarterback.

Unless the Cowboys make a Super Bowl appearance this season, they may be forced to consider drafting a quarterback in the first round next April. Depending on their regular season performance, the team might need to trade up in order to acquire their desired prospect. This scenario is not what the Cowboys had in mind when they gambled on a fourth-round pick in hopes of avoiding such a situation, similar to how Lance's performance shattered their expectations on Saturday.

Furthermore, the Cowboys received another blow when it was revealed that Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, expected to be key contributors in the secondary, would likely miss significant playing time. Diggs is recovering from an ACL injury from last season but is on track for a return, while Bland is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks due to a stress fracture in his foot. Rookie Caelen Carson is now poised to start against the Browns on September 8th, unless the Cowboys decide to sign a free agent veteran.

In a bizarre turn of events off the field, an elevator incident unfolded at the Westin Hotel in downtown Dallas, where the Los Angeles Chargers were staying. Approximately 15 people, including Chargers' Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts and starting quarterback Justin Herbert, were trapped between floors. After maintenance failed to resolve the issue, Dallas Fire-Rescue's Urban Search and Rescue team successfully evacuated the trapped individuals through the ceiling and into a car in an adjacent shaft. The Chargers expressed their gratitude by inviting the rescue team to their team dinner.

Lastly, the New England Patriots, known for their controversial practices, find themselves in the spotlight once again. This time, the Hall of Fame has decided to reduce the waiting time for coaches to be eligible for induction to just one year after retirement, instead of the usual five. This rule change benefits former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who is set to be the chief beneficiary. The question arises whether this rule change would have occurred if it were just Pete Carroll, another potential inductee, without his ties to the Patriots. The potential scenario of both coaches being inducted and then hired by other NFL teams raises concerns, as the original purpose of the five-year waiting rule is being questioned.

The Cowboys are now left grappling with their quarterback situation, while simultaneously dealing with the absence of key players in their defense. As the preseason concludes and the regular season looms, it remains to be seen how the team will navigate these challenges and strive for success on the field.