As the NFL preseason draws to a close, teams around the league are solidifying their rosters and making tough decisions about who will step up in key positions. The Dallas Cowboys, in particular, are scrutinizing their quarterback depth, a narrative that has captured the interest of fans and analysts alike. With Dak Prescott securely positioned as the starter, the battle for the backup quarterback role is intensifying, featuring Cooper Rush and Trey Lance as the primary contenders.
The Contenders
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been a steady presence in the NFL since 2017. His experience and reliability have proven invaluable to the Cowboys, especially when he stepped in for an injured Prescott during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Impressively, Dallas triumphed in five of Rush's six starts in those seasons.
This preseason, Rush has continued to demonstrate his capabilities, completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy had high praise for Rush, stating, "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."
On the other side of the competition is Trey Lance, the third overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Lance, acquired by the Cowboys from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick, is just 24 years old. His youth and potential make him an intriguing candidate for the backup position. Lance has already begun to make his mark, throwing his first touchdown in Dallas' preseason victory over the Raiders.
Coaching and Management Perspectives
Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys' head coach, emphasizes the importance of evaluating all quarterbacks fully before making any final decisions. "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," McCarthy noted.
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner and general manager, echoed McCarthy's sentiments and expressed confidence in both contenders. Speaking about Rush, Jones said, "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp."
Jones also shared his thoughts on 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. 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."
Lance's potential, however, presents a logistical challenge. Jones pointed 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 clearly desires to see more from Lance, stating, "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."
Final Preparations
As the Cowboys gear up for their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the performances of Rush and Lance will be under the microscope. The decisions made in these closing stages are critical, not just for the composition of the roster but for the overall strategic depth heading into the regular season.
Amid the competitive intensity, one thing is certain: The Cowboys are in an enviable position with their trio of talented quarterbacks. The blend of Prescott's leadership, Rush's consistency, and Lance's youthful potential places Dallas in a strong position to navigate the rigors of the NFL season ahead. As McCarthy succinctly put it, "You can never have enough good quarterbacks, and we got three good ones. We're fortunate."