Trey Lance gives Cooper Rush the job as backup QB of the Cowboys after ugly interceptions

For the third time in a row, the Dallas Cowboys rested all of their starting players in Sunday's final preseason game against the LA Chargers. Unlike in the first two games, however, Trey Lance was allowed to start as quarterback ahead of Cooper Rush. However, that was no explanation for Lance winning the job as backup.

The Cowboys had planned to let Lance play the entire game. Mike McCarthy has repeatedly stated that Lance needs as many reps as possible. There was nothing to be gained by letting Rush play, who McCarthy said had his best training camp in McCarthy's four years as head coach.

Lance's preseason has been full of ups and downs, but he started the game red hot on Sunday. On the first drive, he made a beautiful downfield pass to Tyron Billy-Johnson in a tight window near the sideline. His athleticism also caused problems for the Chargers. Lance turned several potential sacks into positive gains.

But just as things were going well for Lance, he threw an ugly interception to Jalen Cropper on a simple sideline. The 24-year-old didn't put enough momentum into the pass and left it inside, making it easy for veteran Tony Jefferson to skip the route and intercept it.

That's the story with Lance. He occasionally makes amazing plays, but turns around and botches a breakaway layup on the next snap. This pass was as routine as it gets, and Lance left it at least five feet short. A properly thrown ball would have moved the chains with ease.

Lance should have used his talent with his arm when throwing while moving. Whether it was a lack of concentration or not, mistakes like that should not be allowed to happen.

Even though Lance came back and scored a touchdown with rookie receiver Ryan Flournoy (their second TD matchup in as many weeks), the loss of the turnover probably outweighs the result. After all, shouldn't a former third-stringer be able to lead a touchdown drive against backup players?

The difficult thing about Lance is that he is definitely improving. Just before halftime, he threw a beautiful seam ball to John Stephens Jr.

As surely as the day is long, evil Lance returned shortly afterward in the form of an even uglier interception. With the Cowboys pressed, Lance forced a ball into traffic and was intercepted in the end zone. It was the second attempt. He should have lived to earn another attempt by fouling the throw or fighting through it. Another unforgivable mistake that all but secures Rush's job as backup.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter: Lance forced another throw into tight coverage that was intercepted, only to return it for a touchdown. The score was 20-19 at that point, and the turnover – Lance's third of the game – put Dallas behind by one point. Another careless mistake that nearly secured Rush's job as backup.

Lance has certainly shown signs of being a competent backup. If Prescott were to suffer a serious injury, Lance would be the first choice to start. What does Dallas have to lose if the season is effectively over? However, Rush would (or should) be the preferred option to keep the ship afloat if Prescott were to miss just a few games.

Lance has simply done too many stupid things to be trusted with one of the most important jobs in the squad.

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