Jerry Jones defends trading for Trey Lance
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stands by his decision to trade for former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance. The 80-year-old explained why he made the right choice in a recent radio appearance.
Per Jon Machota of The Athletic, Jones told 105.3 The Fan that, because he’s the owner and general manager, he can pull the trigger on the decision quickly. He also said he had all the information necessary to make the trade, not requiring him to speak with anyone else.
“I didn’t have to send it around,” Jones said. “I can make that trade in 5 minutes.”
Dallas traded for Lance, a former first-round selection in the NFL Draft. In exchange, the 49ers received a 2024 fourth-round pick.
Jones’ defense of the trade comes after NFL analyst and former player Mark Schlereth ripped the owner to shreds over the decision. He didn’t pull any punches when talking about the move.
“Well, let me just be very clear on this,” Schlereth said on the Stinkin’ Truth podcast. “This is why … this is why the Cowboys will never win s***. Because Jerry Jones can’t help himself.”
Schlereth’s biggest problem was with Jones making the trade without consulting anyone else. While he makes a good point about his ownership and GM status, it still helps to have everyone on the same page.
“I said it, it’s there. You think about Jerry Jones. You’re gonna go out there, and you’re gonna make a trade for a guy without talking to anybody else in your organization? Stephen Jones? Your head coach, Mike McCarthy? Your quarterback?” Schlereth said. “Listen, I don’t really care if you involve your quarterback or not. But to not involve your head coach? What does it say about your head coach?
“‘Hey guys, I know he’s your head coach. But he truly has no authority in this organization, so you don’t have to listen to him. You don’t have to pay attention because the buck stops with me. Your coach doesn’t have the authority to fire you, I do.’”
In 2021, San Francisco selected Lance with the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Obviously, that didn’t go the way they planned. He played in just six games as a rookie in 2021 and an injury last season ended his year after just two games.
Lance has thrown just 102 passes in two years, completing 56 of them. He has totaled 797 yards through the air with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also rushed for 235 yards and a score.
Dallas opens this season with a Sunday Night Football contest against a division rival, the New York Giants.