The NFL preseason serves as a vital period for all teams, providing an essential platform to assess key position battles. Among these, the quarterback position often garners the most attention. This year, the Dallas Cowboys face a significant decision surrounding their backup quarterback slot, with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance vying for the role behind undisputed starter Dak Prescott.
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been a reliable presence in the NFL since 2017. Notably, Rush has proven his mettle when called upon, guiding the Cowboys to victories in five of his six starts while Prescott was sidelined during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. This preseason, Rush’s performance, marked by completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards, has been under the microscope.
On the other hand, Trey Lance offers a different narrative. Selected as the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lance joined the Cowboys after being acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year. The 24-year-old showcased his potential by throwing his first touchdown in Dallas' preseason victory over the Raiders. Lance's youth and high draft pedigree make him an intriguing candidate for the backup role, adding complexity to the Cowboys' decision-making process.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledges the importance of the ongoing battle, stating, "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 statement underscores the value of depth at the quarterback position, a sentiment echoed by team owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
Jerry Jones, expressing his confidence in Rush, remarked, "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp." Describing Rush's performance, McCarthy added, "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 consistency and experience Rush brings are valuable assets, especially in high-pressure situations.
However, Lance's potential growth and development remain an enticing prospect for the Cowboys. Jones highlighted Lance's improvement, noting, "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." Despite the promise, Jones acknowledges the challenge of ensuring Lance secures enough playing time, saying, "The issue is after preseason, how does he get his reps without something negative happening with Dak or, in this particular case, Cooper Rush?"
As the preseason draws to a close, all eyes are on the Cowboys' final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. It presents one last opportunity to evaluate both Rush and Lance in game conditions. Jones expressed his desire to see more of 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."
The decisions made in these concluding preseason moments will shape the Cowboys' quarterback depth chart for the 2024 season. With Prescott firmly established as the starter, the battle for the backup role between Rush and Lance brings both experience and potential to the fore. As the preseason dust settles, the Cowboys hope to strike the right balance, ensuring they have the depth and talent to navigate the rigors of the upcoming NFL season.