The Dallas Cowboys recently made headlines after trading for former 3rd overall pick Trey Lance, but it had a rather surprising effect on the team.
In the wake of the trade, Draft Kings Sportsbooks placed Dallas at worse odds to win the NFC East. Despite the fact that the recent trade, which Dallas gave up a 4th round pick for Lance, and that Dallas is Starting Dak Prescott and the first backup is Cooper Rush, Dallas’ odds to win the NFC East went from +190 to +195.
This is surprising as Dallas is unlikely to feature Lance in the rotation this season barring two major injuries. Dallas has talent on both ends of the field, and Lance, while incredibly talented, won’t be a factor this season.
To be fair, Dallas shouldn’t be favored anyway, sharing the division with Super Bowl frontrunner Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are more well-rounded and fresh off of a loss in the big game. Dallas finished 12-5 and second place in the NFC East in 2022, 2 games behind the Eagles. Not enough roster change has happened to worsen or better the Cowboys’ odds of winning the division, let alone any team in the NFC East.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys did acquire a high-end talent in the trade, but this is the Eagles division to lose. Whether it’s +195 or +190, it’s doubtful that the Cowboys won the division anyway.
