The NFL preseason serves as a vital tool for teams to assess key position battles, and the Dallas Cowboys are no exception. This year, attention is sharply focused on the quarterback position, highlighted by the competition for the backup spot behind the undisputed starter, Dak Prescott.
The Contenders
In the mix for the Cowboys' backup quarterback role are two noteworthy candidates: Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted player from Central Michigan, has been in the NFL since 2017. Despite his undrafted status, Rush has demonstrated his capability, particularly when he stepped in for an injured Prescott in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, leading the Cowboys to victory in five of his six starts. This preseason, Rush has continued to show his reliability, completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards.
On the other hand, Trey Lance brings a different narrative. Drafted third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lance was acquired by the Cowboys from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year. At 24 years old, Lance represents a younger talent with significant potential. He showcased his abilities during the Cowboys' preseason victory over the Raiders, where he threw his first touchdown for Dallas.
Coaching Insights
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has been vocal about the depth and quality within his quarterback room. "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 stated, emphasizing the strategic importance of having multiple reliable quarterbacks on the roster.
McCarthy also singled out Rush for praise, highlighting his consistency and readiness. "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."
Management's Perspective
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones also expressed his satisfaction with the quarterback situation, particularly with the performances of Rush and Lance. "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp," Jones noted. His comments underscore the confidence the organization has in its backup quarterbacks, which could prove crucial over the long NFL season.
Jones also recognized Lance's potential, lauding his improvement and the tools he brings to the table. "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."
Upcoming Decisions
As the Cowboys approach their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the debate over the backup quarterback slot will be a focal point. Jones has confirmed that Lance will make the 53-man roster, acknowledging that while more evaluation is needed, Lance's developmental progress is promising. "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," Jones confirmed.
Finally, Jones touched upon the challenge of ensuring Lance continues to get meaningful reps without impacting Prescott or Rush negatively. "The issue is after preseason, how does he get his reps without something negative happening with Dak or, in this particular case, Cooper Rush?"
With the roster decisions looming and the regular season on the horizon, the Cowboys' management and coaching staff have tough decisions ahead. The preseason has shown promise for both Rush and Lance, providing a healthy competition that could benefit the team's depth and performance throughout the upcoming season.