Evaluating the Cowboys' Quarterback Depth
Every NFL team leverages the preseason to assess key position battles, and for the Dallas Cowboys, the backup quarterback slot has come under the spotlight. With Dak Prescott firmly established as the starting quarterback, the competition for his backup has narrowed down to two key contenders: Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has made a significant impact since entering the NFL in 2017. His resume includes stepping in for an injured Prescott during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, during which Dallas triumphed in five of his six starts. This consistency has not gone unnoticed by Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy. "Cooper is the same man every single day. He is super consistent. He is on top of his game," McCarthy stated. "I think if you look at his snaps that he has had this year, definitely quality over quantity. That's by design with what we've got going on with Dak and Trey."
In the current preseason, Rush's performance included completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards. McCarthy emphasized, "This is clearly, in my time with him, his best camp. His decision-making has been on point. I think his footwork and some of the things he's done have been impressive." Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones echoed this sentiment, noting, "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp."
On the other hand, Trey Lance presents an intriguing option for the Cowboys. The 24-year-old was the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and joined Dallas from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year. Lance has already left a mark, throwing his first touchdown in Dallas' preseason victory over the Raiders. "I saw obvious improvement. That's promising because he does have a lot of improvement to have, but he's got all the tools," said Jones. "He's got the mettle."
However, the challenge remains for Lance to secure his reps without an unfortunate event affecting Prescott or Rush. Jones highlighted this concern, saying, "The issue is after preseason, how does he get his reps without something negative happening with Dak or, in this particular case, Cooper Rush?"
Looking ahead to the final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Jones expressed his desire to see more of Lance in action. "I'd like to see us really be able to have our quarterbacking depth. Specifically talking about No. 19 [Lance]. ... I'd like to see him get some more work in this weekend, that would be number one. Do I need to see any more from Trey Lance? The answer is yes, but he's going to be on the 53," Jones confirmed.
The Cowboys' approach reflects a pragmatic strategy, embodying McCarthy's philosophy: "I think just like anything, you play this all the way out. You can never have enough good quarterbacks, and we got three good ones. We're fortunate."
As decisions are made and the final 53-man roster takes shape, the Cowboys will undoubtedly continue to weigh their options and develop their quarterback depth, ensuring they are prepared for whatever the season may bring.