Every NFL team leverages the preseason to assess key position battles, and for the Dallas Cowboys, the backup quarterback slot has garnered significant attention. With Dak Prescott firmly positioned as the starter, the competition to be his understudy in 2024 has narrowed down to Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, two quarterbacks with markedly different backgrounds and trajectories.
Cooper Rush's Steadfast Journey
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has carved out a niche in the NFL since 2017. Known for his consistency and reliability, Rush has stepped in admirably for an injured Prescott, leading Dallas to victories in five of his six starts over the past two seasons.
In the current preseason, Rush has continued to impress, completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was effusive in his praise, noting, "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. 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 Trey Lance Factor
On the other side of the battle is Trey Lance, the 2021 NFL Draft's third overall pick, recently acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year. At 24 years old, Lance represents a younger, high-potential option for the Cowboys. His time with Dallas has already seen its first milestone, throwing his first touchdown in a preseason victory over the Raiders.
Despite his obvious talent, Lance remains a work in progress. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones acknowledged this, stating, "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. 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."
Jones is aware of the challenge in providing Lance with enough reps to develop further without impacting the roles of Prescott and Rush. He remarked, "The issue is after preseason, how does he get his reps without something negative happening with Dak or, in this particular case, Cooper Rush?"
The Strategic Road Ahead
Looking ahead to the Cowboys' final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, McCarthy and Jones will be scrutinizing every moment. Jones has already confirmed that Lance will make the 53-man roster, ensuring his developmental journey continues within the Cowboys' fold. He articulated his aspirations for Lance, saying, "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."
The commitment to providing Lance with opportunities without displacing Rush or Prescott underscores the Cowboys' broader strategy. McCarthy emphasized the importance of this depth, "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 preseason wraps up, the Cowboys are poised to face critical decisions that will shape their quarterback depth chart. With a solid starter in Prescott, a reliable veteran in Rush, and a high-upside youngster in Lance, Dallas finds itself in the enviable position of having multiple competent quarterbacks to rely on as they navigate the 2024 season.