Assessing Key Position Battles During Preseason: The Dallas Cowboys' Quarterback Dilemma
Every NFL team leverages the preseason to assess crucial position battles, and for the Dallas Cowboys, the quarterback slot has taken center stage. Preseason games remain essential as they offer teams the platform to evaluate talent and make strategic decisions. For the Cowboys, who have a solid starting quarterback in Dak Prescott, the focus has shifted to who will serve as his backup for the 2024 season.
Stepping into the spotlight are Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, each vying for the coveted backup role. Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been in the NFL since 2017. Rush demonstrated his reliability when he stepped in for an injured Prescott during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, leading the Cowboys to triumphs in five of his six starts. This preseason, Rush showed flashes of his capabilities, completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards.
On the other side of this competition is Trey Lance, the 2021 NFL Draft's third overall pick. Lance, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year, brings youth and potential to the Cowboys' roster at just 24 years old. His preseason performance has been promising, highlighted by throwing his first touchdown in Dallas' victory over the Raiders.
Head coach Mike McCarthy has acknowledged the complexity of the situation: "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." This sentiment underscores the luxury—and the challenge—the Cowboys face with the depth in their quarterback room.
McCarthy also praised Rush's consistency and preparedness: "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."
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner and general manager, shares this appreciation for Rush. "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp," Jones remarked, adding validation to Rush's strong form this preseason.
However, the competition remains fierce with Lance showing noticeable improvements. "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 noted, reflecting on Lance's learning curve and potential.
While the decision isn't easy, Jones has confirmed that Lance will be on the 53-man roster: "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 Cowboys' final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers will likely play a pivotal role in finalizing their backup quarterback plans. As the team inches closer to the regular season, both Rush and Lance will look to make decisive statements to secure their spot behind Prescott.
Ultimately, the Cowboys' coaching staff and management face an enviable decision between two capable quarterbacks. Whether they go with the seasoned consistency of Cooper Rush or the youthful promise of Trey Lance, Dallas appears well-prepared to navigate the rigors of the upcoming season.