Every NFL off-season, preseason games are leveraged by teams to assess key position battles and make strategic decisions. These exhibition games provide a crucial platform to evaluate talent, making decisions particularly pivotal when it comes to the quarterback position. For the Dallas Cowboys, this preseason has been no different, especially in determining who will secure the backup quarterback spot behind their undisputed starter, Dak Prescott.
Dallas Cowboys' Quarterback Dilemma
The battle for the Cowboys' backup quarterback slot for the 2024 season features two primary contenders: Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been in the NFL since 2017. His track record when stepping in for an injured Prescott during the 2021 and 2022 seasons is noteworthy. Dallas triumphed in five of Rush's six starts, showcasing his ability to reliably steer the team.
Rush's performance in this year's preseason includes completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy lauded Rush's consistent approach, stating, "Cooper is the same man every single day. He is super consistent. He is on top of his game." McCarthy added that this has been Rush's best camp, highlighting his impressive decision-making and footwork. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones echoed this sentiment, expressing his high regard for Rush's camp performance, "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp."
Trey Lance's Potential and Performance
Enter Trey Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, acquired by the Cowboys from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a fourth-round pick last year. At 24 years old, Lance brings a different dimension to the quarterback room. His first touchdown in Dallas' preseason victory over the Raiders has initiated discussions about his potential and readiness.
Jones has been optimistic yet realistic about Lance's progress. "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. "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." The Cowboys' owner confirmed that Lance will be on the 53-man roster, but he also expressed concerns about ensuring Lance gets sufficient reps once the preseason ends, "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
As the Cowboys prepare for their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on the quarterbacks. Jones emphasized the importance of giving Lance more snaps, "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." He added, "Do I need to see any more from Trey Lance? The answer is yes, but he's going to be on the 53."
Coach McCarthy echoed the significance of the final evaluation, 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."
With the 2024 season on the horizon, the Cowboys find themselves in an enviable yet challenging position of having to choose between steady reliability and untapped potential for their backup quarterback role. Whether it's the veteran consistency of Cooper Rush or the promising development of Trey Lance, the Cowboys' quarterback room is well-equipped, an asset they will seek to maximize as they aim for success this coming season.