The Dallas Cowboys chose not to make any moves at the trade deadline, staying quiet while other NFC contenders were active. However, it appears they were closer to making a deal than initially thought, as another NFL team considered reaching out to them.
The Minnesota Vikings reportedly had a “brief discussion” about potentially calling the Cowboys to inquire about a trade for quarterback Trey Lance, according to The Athletic’s Diana Russini. It’s unclear how serious the discussion was or if the Vikings ever made the call. In the end, the Vikings acquired quarterback Joshua Dobbs from the Arizona Cardinals, as Kyler Murray was nearing a return from injury.
Trading Lance, whom the Cowboys acquired with a fourth-round draft pick in the preseason, could have been an intriguing proposition. However, the exact details of the potential trade offer remain unknown. Given the urgency created by Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury, the Cowboys might have secured a valuable asset in exchange, perhaps a third-round or even a second-round pick.
Lance has been inactive for every game this season, serving as the emergency quarterback. The Cowboys have taken a patient approach in his development, keeping him in the background as an insurance policy. While Lance struggled with field vision during his final weeks with the San Francisco 49ers, his physical attributes suggest he has the potential to become a high-caliber player in the future. It remains unclear when or if the Cowboys will promote him to the QB2 position ahead of Cooper Rush, who has had limited playing time this season.
Additionally, it was revealed that the Cowboys were actively seeking a trade before Week 9 despite owner Jerry Jones suggesting they were only waiting for other teams to contact them. They were reportedly looking for a linebacker to address their thin depth at the position. As of now, Damone Clark and Markquese Bell are the team’s starting linebackers, with Leighton Vander Esch on Injured Reserve and Rashaan Evans gradually integrating into the defense. While the unit requires more depth, finding impact players at this point in the season could be a challenge.