In a career defining game against the Chargers, Cowboys QB Trey Lance threw 5 interceptions and most likely ended his chance of being the back up to Dak Prescott.
“1 INT for every 65yds passing” – Trey Lance gets torched by Cowboys fans for throwing 5 interceptions against Chargers in pre-season

Trey Lance (Image via IMAGO)

The 2024 pre-season is Trey Lance’s ticket to be #2 behind Dak Prescott at the Dallas Cowboys. However, after his horror show against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Cowboys’ final pre-season game at AT&T on Saturday, it’s more than likely that the backup job will go to Cooper Rush.

Dak Prescott watched from the sidelines as Lance capped off a bad day by throwing 5 interceptions—yes, 5—the Cowboys should clear the winner in their hands. If the decision were left in the hands of the Cowboys fans, then they would cut the 24-year-old from the team immediately.

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The final say, of course, remains with owner Jerry Jones. In the meantime, Lance became the first quarterback to throw 5 picks in a pre-season game—the previous worst (4 INTs) was from the Los Angeles Rams QB Stetson Bennett against the Cowboys just a couple of weeks ago.

Football fans react to Trey Lance throwing 5 interceptions in pre-season friendly against the Chargers

Initially, Lance looked sharp, throwing needles in his first two drives. In the second quarter, he threw the first pick of the game by missing placing the ball well behind Jalen Cropper, making it easy for the Chargers’ Tony Jefferson to snag it off.
"1 int for every 65yds passing"- Trey Lance gets torched by Cowboys fans for throwing 5 interceptions against Chargers in pre-seasonCooper Rush, Trey Lance, and Dak Prescott (Image via IMAGO)
Jefferson was involved in the second one as well. In the third second half, with under 7 minutes remaining until the end of the third quarter, the Cowboys were down 10-20 and had a chance to close the gap from 2nd and 5, but Lance threw straight to Jefferson inside the red zone.

The third one came with just under 5 minutes to go, as Lance’s intended pass was intercepted by Tre’Mon Morris-Brash, who returned it for a pick-6. Lance faced the Chargers’ blitz and threw the ball on the run, but the receiver wasn’t able to keep the ball, and corner Matt Hankins snatched it off him.

The final throw of the game turned into Trey Lance’s fifth interception of the night. The Chargers’ other cornerback, Robert Kennedy, caught the loose ball with seconds left on the clock and they won 26-19.

Lance’s positive moments against Chargers

Despite the poor day, Lance still had his moments. When the score was 3-17 in the second quarter, Lance floated the ball toward rookie WR Ryan Flournoy inside the endzone.

His best moment of the night came after his third INT. With under 3 minutes left, Lance scrambled to get a 46-yard rushing touchdown—his longest as a Cowboy.

Trey Lance finished the game with 33 completions for 323 passing yards (67.4% completion rate), 1 passing touchdown, 1 rushing touchdown (total 7 TDs in 3 pre-season appearances), and 5 interceptions.

Ups and downs for sure. I turned the ball over too many times. … My confidence isn't going anywhere. This sucks. This is one I'm not going to forget about any time soon, but it's part of it. You just got to flush it and turn the page.

Trey Lance said after the game, per the Athletic’s Jon Machota

Lance definitely went down the Cowboys QB pecking order, easing things out for Cooper Rush. The Cowboys will now have a week in their hands to sort a few stuff out before they hit the road for the week 1 fixture against the Cleveland Browns.