7 Cowboys Whose Jobs Aren’t Safe After Surviving Trade Deadline

The Dallas Cowboys’ rollercoaster ride is stuck in a downhill trajectory after falling to 3-6 on the year with Week 10’s loss to the rival Philadelphia Eagles. The season is beginning to look over at this point because unless America’s Team completely runs the gauntlet down the stretch, the Cowboys will likely miss the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

Needless to say, owner/general manager Jerry Jones will likely look to make some serious changes in the offseason. While certain players’ futures in town are likely guaranteed despite this year’s struggles, others have potentially already played themselves out of Dallas’ plans and probably should’ve been sent packing at last week’s trade deadline.

With that in mind, here are seven Cowboys who likely don’t have much of a future with the franchise despite surviving the deadline.

With a hamstring injury likely putting an end to Dak Prescott’s campaign, Cowboys fans wondered if head coach Mike McCarthy would finally give Trey Lance an opportunity to shine under center. After all, the former 2021 third-overall pick has been stuck as the team’s emergency QB after being acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in August 2023.

Instead of rolling the dice on Lance, the Cowboys kept it safe by naming Cooper Rush as the QB1 in Week 10. Rush’s start only lasted three quarters before he was replaced by Lance, who failed to make the most of the situation, completing only 4-of-6 passes for 21 yards and an interception.

Lance only saw a small sample size of work, though, and some fans were wondering if he’d get a chance to start a full game given Rush’s struggles. Instead, McCarthy confirmed that it’ll be Rush who starts against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium in Week 11.

Playing out the season on an expiring contract, time is running out for Lance to prove himself to the Cowboys. If McCarthy & Co. continue to roll with Rush down the stretch, it’ll quickly become evident that Jones doesn’t see much of a future for the ex-North Dakota State signal-caller.