Cowboys Practice: How’d Lance Look?

FRISCO - The only thing that really “went wrong” for Trey Lance on Wednesday here inside The Star at an OTAs session that marks the quarterback’s public debut workout?

The wind in Frisco was so fierce (right before the rain that was the same) that coach Mike McCarthy interrupted the session midway through in order to move everybody inside to Ford Center.

But otherwise? Our eye test of Lance’s work in his new red No. 19 jersey - he sacrificed No. 15 to returnee Ezekiel Elliott - creates some positivity here.

Cowboys Practice: How’d Lance Look?

And even Dak Prescott thought so.

“I’m excited for where he is now,'' Dak said. "He works his ass off. He’s pushing me. ... He can play.”

The Cowboys acquired quarterback Lance via trade at the start of last season, leaving him little time to work - and even less time for prying media eyes to watch.

But on this day, and the former Niners No. 3 overall pick seemed up to speed in McCarthy's “Texas Coast Offense.” To wit …

-He’s talked to us before about making adjustments in footwork in order to fit Dalllas’ desires. And there was precision there, especially on ball fakes and follow-throughs. Nothing was “lazy”; everything was sharp.

Said coach Mike McCarthy: "His athleticism is top-notch. You can see the improvement in his timing.”

-There was one short out pass to a tight end that lacked touch; Lance needlessly threw a 90-MPH fastball. But otherwise he was a stand-tall-in-the-pocket presence with downfield accuracy.

-His connection with rookie Ryan Flournoy was apparent. Flournoy - who has celebrated being compared to Dez Bryant as an aggressive attacker on a catch - frequently rose high to hook up with Lance.

Seriously … it’s clear they’ve practiced together on their own.

-Lance did on one occasion tuck it away to run upfield - a facet of his game that No. 2 QB Cooper Rush does not share.

Lance still worked as the No. 3 guy behind Prescott and Rush. The climb to catch Rush will be steep.

But as the Cowboys' offseason program begins to pick up pace, quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien has spoken of the benefits of having a full offseason's work with Lance.

And maybe that showed here.

“It's always nice when you get a full offseason with a guy,” Tolzien said. “It's no different than jumping into a math class after you move midway through the year.

“it's nice to teach it from the grassroots so he can hear the origins of everything.”

As no quarterbacks on Dallas' roster are signed beyond 2024, this offseason is a chance for Lance to show his talents.

That figures to happen during Dallas’ preseason games. But it’s a process that begins now. And it’s a process of which on this day Trey Lance looked comfortable