Every NFL team leverages the preseason to assess key position battles. For the Dallas Cowboys, this period is crucial in resolving one of their significant conundrums: the battle for the backup quarterback position behind their undisputed starter, Dak Prescott.
The primary contenders for the backup slot are Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been with the NFL since 2017. His tenure with the Cowboys has been marked by consistent performance, stepping in for an injured Prescott with noticeable success. Dallas has triumphed in five of Rush's six starts during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. This year, Rush's preseason performance includes completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards.
On the other hand, Lance, 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 brings youth and potential to the table. This preseason, he made a significant mark by throwing his first touchdown in Dallas' victory over the Raiders.
Coaching and Management Perspectives
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy expresses confidence in his quarterback roster: "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." Reflecting on Rush's performance, McCarthy is effusive in his praise. "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."
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones echoes McCarthy's sentiments: "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp." Jones is equally optimistic about Lance, acknowledging the improvements he's observed: "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."
The Road Ahead
The Cowboys' final preseason game is against the Los Angeles Chargers, presenting one last opportunity for both Rush and Lance to showcase their readiness. However, the path to regular-season snaps appears more challenging. As Jones points out, "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's commitment to quarterback depth is evident in his plans for Lance: "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."
As the Cowboys gear up for the 2024 season, the decisions made during this preseason will undoubtedly shape their strategic approach. With Prescott firmly in place as the starter, the choice between Rush's seasoned steadiness and Lance's youthful promise will be pivotal. The insights and decisions of McCarthy and Jones will play crucial roles as the team aims for a successful campaign.