Every NFL team leverages the preseason to assess key position battles, with the quarterback position often taking center stage. Preseason games provide a crucial platform to evaluate talent and make strategic decisions, and this year has been no different for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys’ quarterback lineup begins with their undisputed starter, Dak Prescott. However, the battle for the backup quarterback slot for the 2024 season is intense, featuring Cooper Rush and Trey Lance as the main contenders.
Cooper Rush: The Steady Veteran
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been in the NFL since 2017. Rush's ability to step in and perform under pressure is well-documented, as Dallas has triumphed in five of his six starts when he replaced an injured Prescott during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. This experience has positioned him as a reliable option for the Cowboys. His preseason performance this year, completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards, further demonstrated his steady play.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy had high praise for Rush, highlighting his consistency and decision-making.
"Cooper is the same man every single day. He is super consistent. He is on top of his game. 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," McCarthy noted. "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."
The sentiment was echoed by Cowboys owner and general manager, Jerry Jones, who said, "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp."
Trey Lance: The Rising Star
Trey Lance, who was the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was acquired by the Cowboys from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year. At 24 years old, Lance represents a different type of potential for the Cowboys. This preseason saw him throw his first touchdown in Dallas’ victory over the Raiders, showcasing his ability to make impactful plays.
Jones acknowledged Lance’s potential and recognized the areas where he still needs to improve.
"I saw obvious improvement. That's promising because he does have a lot of improvement to have, but he's got all the tools. He's got the mettle," Jones remarked. "You saw that mettle clicking in and adjustments that he hadn’t made, let’s say as early as the week before. That's pretty promising the way he played out there Saturday."
Strategic Decisions Ahead
The Cowboys’ final preseason game is against the Los Angeles Chargers, and Jones confirmed that Lance will be on the 53-man roster. However, he acknowledged the complications in ensuring Lance gets enough reps without any negative impact on Prescott or Rush.
"The issue is after preseason, how does he get his reps without something negative happening with Dak or, in this particular case, Cooper Rush?" Jones pondered, further expressing his desire to see Lance get more 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."
For the Cowboys, having depth at the quarterback position is a strategic advantage that can pay dividends throughout the grueling NFL season. McCarthy summarized the importance of this depth, stating, "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 the regular season approaches, the Cowboys’ focus on evaluating and developing their quarterback talent continues to be a key point of interest, reflecting broader themes that resonate across the league. The final decisions made on the backup slot will not only shape the roster but could also significantly impact their season’s trajectory.