Why Trey Lance trade is an alarm for Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

"Yeah, I think they read a little too much into it," Prescott told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein on Wednesday. "As I've said before and made it known, I understand that's the front office, and they have a job to do, and I believe in everything they're doing. Whether it's trades or additions to this team, they're doing it for the betterment of the whole team."

Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, isn't an immediate threat to Prescott. In two seasons with San Francisco, the 23-year-old played in eight games, completing 54.8 percent of his passes and posting a 34.2 QBR — well below the league average.

But Jones acquiring a young QB with some upside shows he's thinking about a future without Prescott. In seven seasons, he's failed to push the Cowboys over the hump with a 2-4 record in the postseason. Also, he tied the league lead in interceptions last season with 15 in 12 games, a career-high.

Two years remain on Prescott's contract, which has a potential out in 2024. Per Spotrac, his market value is a four-year deal worth $49.7M annually, fourth at his position. The QB must show more to earn an exorbitant extension.    

"Acquiring Lance could become significant if Prescott regresses badly this season," wrote CBS Sports contributor and former sports agent Joel Corry. "A bounce-back year where Prescott returns to his 2021 form, which was arguably the best year of his career, would give him the leverage under the circumstances to become the league's highest-paid player."

Prescott needs a big year to solidify his future in Dallas and reaffirm his status as a franchise QB.