Touchdown! The Dak Prescott debate is back, and Nick Wright is stirring the pot. On First Things First, Wright urged the Dallas Cowboys to consider a future with Trey Lance at quarterback. He claims Lance offers “60% of Dak Prescott” for just “5% of the cost.”
Chris Broussard acknowledged Prescott as a “legitimate franchise quarterback” but questioned if this is a “prove-it” year for Dak. With Prescott potentially becoming the league’s first $60 million man after the Trevor Lawrence deal, Wright argues the Cowboys could save big by betting on Lance. Danny Parkins, however, pushed back, noting, “Dak has accomplished so much more than Lance. It would be the biggest gamble we’ve seen to move on from a legitimate top 10 QB in his prime.”
Prescott’s stats are impressive: second in MVP voting last season, fifth in QBR (65.8), over 10,000 passing yards, and 75 touchdowns from 2021 to 2023. However, his 2-5 playoff record raises questions. Broussard adds, “If they pay Dak, Lamb, and Parsons, how do they build a team around that?”
Wright is convinced Lance is a budget-friendly alternative. At 24, the ex-49ers backup has shown potential, with a 97.3 passer rating and 8.5 yards per attempt in his rookie year. Wright argues, “There’s no evidence he’s a zero, so why not take that chance if it frees up tons of cap space?”
But there’s a catch. Lance has only thrown 102 passes in three years, raising concerns about his readiness to lead America’s Team. Could he handle the pressure and fill Prescott’s shoes?
A Lance-led offense might lean heavily on the run game and play-action passing, capitalizing on Lance’s mobility and arm strength. Wright envisions a system similar to Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia or Ryan Tannehill’s RPO-heavy attack in Tennessee. This could fit Lance’s dual-threat abilities perfectly and allow Dallas to strengthen its defense, which ranked 16th last year.
Yet, questions remain. Can Dallas’s coaching staff unlock Lance’s potential, something Kyle Shanahan couldn’t do in San Francisco? Prescott himself was an underdog until an injury gave him his shot. Maybe Lance just needs that same break, and Dallas’s strong drafting history could help find another hidden gem.
Ultimately, Wright’s bold proposal is a classic risk-reward scenario. Should the Cowboys play it safe and pay big bucks for Prescott, or gamble on Lance for cap flexibility? Only time will tell which gamble Jerry Jones is willing to take as contract negotiations with Prescott loom large.
