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Trey Lance: ‘At my best’ heading into QB2 battle – Nick Harris, DallasCowboys.com

Trey Lance talked about his mindset from when he was first drafted to now preparing for the QB2 competition at training camp.

Now with a full season under his belt to take on a new offense, Lance is gearing up for a battle at training camp that executive vice president Stephen Jones has already stated will happen in Oxnard between Lance and Cooper Rush.

“My mindset hasn’t changed,” Lance said of the opportunity. “I haven’t attacked this offseason any differently. Controlling what I can control, continuing to learn the offense and building trust with these guys and the coaching staff as well.”

“I’m excited. I haven’t played a snap, obviously, since last preseason. I’m just excited and looking forward to it and making sure I’m ready when that time does come.”

Building confidence and trust has been the majority of what has made up the first nine months as a member of the Cowboys for Lance, as he looks to take that forward into his second chance in the league.

“[My confidence] is much higher than it was when I got into the NFL, for sure,” he said. “I kind of didn’t know what to expect. I think that’s probably most rookies, if not all of them at one point or another throughout that first year. I feel great about where I’m at. Continuing to get better, continuing to learn and continuing to be a better quarterback.”

NFL’s 10 hottest head-coaching seats entering 2024 season – Eric Smithling, Yardbarker

Mike McCarthy is forever on the hot seat.

1. Mike McCarthy | Dallas Cowboys

McCarthy is coaching for his job in 2024. The Super Bowl XLV-winning coach of the Packers, entering his fifth season with the Cowboys, is in the final year of his contract. It’s difficult to envision him receiving an extension if Dallas comes up short in the postseason again under his watch.

Since his hiring in 2020, the Cowboys are 42-25, tied for the league’s fifth-best record during that span. However, Dallas is 1-3 in the playoffs.

Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was recently linked to the Cowboys. Should McCarthy falter, Jerry Jones shouldn’t waste a minute putting the 72-year-old back to work.

Brandin Cooks admits to slow start with Dak Prescott last year, vows to ‘make a lot more plays’ – Josh Sanches, Sports Illustrated

Brandin Cooks is looking forward to working with Dak to build on their relationship and become an even bigger playmaker in his second season with the team.

Cooks spoke to the media this week and admitted that he got off to a slow start with Prescott and the Cowboys offense in 2023. However, he says he is now “ready to rock” and vows to “make a lot more plays” this season.

“Having a season under my belt with Dak, I started slow the first half (last) season but picked it up,” Cooks said. “I’m ready to rock.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m a leader, but at the same time, I’m a playmaker. My mindset, I just look forward to get this season going and hitting that stride like I know I’m capable of. “I’m gonna go out there and make a lot more plays than I did last year.”

Throughout his career, Cooks has had six 1,000 yard seasons. He will have plenty of opportunities for production in the Cowboys offense this season, especially with CeeDee Lamb demanding a lot of the defense’s attention on the opposite side of the field.

Lamb is also holding out of offseason workouts while he seeks a new contract, so Cooks and Prescott have plenty of time to continue building their chemistry leading up to the season opener against the Cleveland Browns.

Dak Prescott says CeeDee Lamb has full support of Cowboys locker room at OTAs amid contract holdout – Garrett Podell, CBS Sports

Dak Prescott understands that “business is business” when it comes to CeeDee Lamb’s absence in anticipation for a contract extension.

“Yes, I mean, that’s my guy,” Prescott said of Lamb on Wednesday at organized team activities. “Not many more people out there, more swaggier, cooler, better player, than that guy. So obviously you’re gonna miss him, miss having him around. But I’ve been in this situation, it’s business, business is business. He’s got my support and pretty much everybody in this locker room. I know locker room support and so it’s part of it. Hopefully, he’ll get all his and everything he deserves and is worth.”

Prescott acknowledged the difference between his first big contract negotiation, where Lamb is in his career, and his current negotiation for a second long-term deal.

“I think it just depends,” Prescott said when asked if respect comes into play with contract negotiations. “I think it depends on personal relationships and position and how much that pay can affect others. Understanding where I am, what my pay means to a team and to an organization, I don’t really take things personally. Maybe in my first deal, maybe things were a little different than they are now. One, it’s my age and who I am, where I am in my life and I guess the fact that that first deal got done. The understanding that I have a lot of decision in this, too. I have a lot of say so, too. It’s about understanding business is business and for me, it’s controlling what I can and that’s making sure I’m the best player that I can be right now.”