As the Dallas Cowboys approach their final game of the regular season, questions surrounding the quarterback position have been circulating, especially after Cooper Rush’s struggles against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys are heading into Week 18 with little to fight for in terms of playoff positioning, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still important decisions to be made. One question that is bound to come up among Cowboys fans is whether Trey Lance will get the chance to start in the season finale. With the quarterback situation still up in the air, let’s take a closer look at what we know so far and whether or not a change at quarterback is imminent.

Despite starting Cooper Rush for most of the season following Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury in Week 9, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy did not commit to either quarterback for Week 18. After the Cowboys’ tough loss to the Eagles, McCarthy was asked about his plans for the quarterback position moving forward. His response was telling: “I don’t know,” he admitted when pressed by reporters. “I’m not there yet.” This statement has only fueled speculation about whether McCarthy will finally give Lance a chance to play, especially given how much has been invested in him since the Cowboys traded for him earlier in the season.

McCarthy did mention that he had considered giving Lance a series before the final drive of the blowout loss to the Eagles, but ultimately, Lance only attempted one pass in a very limited appearance. This raised further questions about how the Cowboys view Lance’s development and potential moving forward. For a team that has been known to experiment with backup quarterbacks in the past, it was odd to see them stick with Rush, even with the game out of hand. It’s worth noting that at that point, the Eagles had benched several of their starters, making it even more puzzling that McCarthy chose not to get a longer look at Lance.

This brings us to the core of the issue: how do the Cowboys truly view Trey Lance? If we look at their actions, rather than their words, the picture becomes clearer. Despite Lance being active and on the roster for most of the season, the Cowboys have given no indication that he’s been given a fair shot at playing time. Ever since the trade to acquire Lance, there has been no clear indication that he’s ahead of Rush in the backup quarterback race. Aside from a few preseason reps, the Cowboys have shown little interest in seeing what Lance can do in meaningful game situations.

Throughout the season, whenever McCarthy has been asked about giving Lance a shot, his responses have typically centered around the team’s desire to focus on winning, implying that they felt they had a better chance with Rush at the helm. This strategy paid off during a solid 4-1 stretch with Rush starting, but as the season has progressed, it’s become increasingly apparent that the Cowboys’ trust in Rush is not without limits.

So, what could change heading into Week 18? In theory, this is the perfect opportunity for the Cowboys to give Lance a real shot. With nothing left to play for in terms of playoff seeding, McCarthy could decide to use this final game to evaluate Lance more thoroughly. This would also give the young quarterback a chance to gain valuable experience heading into the offseason. From a purely logical perspective, giving Lance the start seems like a reasonable move. However, McCarthy’s emphasis on turnover differential throughout the season provides some insight into why he may hesitate to give Lance the nod. Rush’s two interceptions against the Eagles were a setback, but the Cowboys’ turnover woes during their 4-1 run leading up to Week 17 likely influenced McCarthy’s decision to stick with the veteran.

Moreover, McCarthy is still coaching for his job. With so much on the line for him personally, it makes sense that he would opt for what he believes gives the Cowboys the best chance to win—something he’s shown a preference for in Cooper Rush. McCarthy knows that a loss to Washington would leave the Cowboys with a sour taste to end the season, and given Lance’s past struggles with turnovers, McCarthy may believe that starting him could create too many risks in a game that is still important for the Cowboys’ pride.

At the end of the day, McCarthy has consistently shown a preference for Cooper Rush over Trey Lance when it comes to crucial game situations. While fans and analysts alike may be clamoring for a quarterback change in Week 18, McCarthy’s conservative approach and focus on winning in the short term mean that it’s likely Rush will remain the starter for the Cowboys’ season finale against the Washington Commanders. However, if there is any silver lining, it’s that McCarthy could still give Lance a chance in a limited role, offering some much-needed clarity on his future with the team as they head into the offseason.

In the end, this decision will come down to McCarthy’s judgment, and despite the mounting pressure to evaluate Lance more thoroughly, the veteran coach’s track record suggests he will stick with what he knows best in an effort to end the season on a high note. Whether or not that will include Lance is still unclear, but one thing is for certain—Week 18 will be one final opportunity to see how the Cowboys approach their quarterback situation moving forward.