Every NFL team leverages the preseason to assess key position battles, and for the Dallas Cowboys, this year's preseason has been critical in evaluating their quarterback depth chart. With Dak Prescott firmly established as the starter, the primary focus has been on determining his backup for the 2024 season. The battle features two contenders: Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.
Rush's Reliability and Experience
Cooper Rush, an undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been with the NFL since 2017. The 30-year-old has had the opportunity to demonstrate his reliability, especially during the 2021 and 2022 seasons when he stepped in for an injured Prescott, leading the Cowboys to triumph in five of his six starts. This preseason, Rush's performance has been steady, completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards.
Head coach Mike McCarthy has praised Rush's consistency and decision-making, 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."
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones echoed McCarthy's sentiments. "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp," Jones said, emphasizing the veteran's maturity and stable performance.
Lance's Potential and Development
On the other hand, the 24-year-old Trey Lance, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year, is viewed as a young talent with significant potential. Drafted third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lance has been working to find his stride with the Cowboys. This preseason, he showcased his potential by throwing his first touchdown in Dallas' victory over the Raiders, a promising sign for the team's future.
Jones highlighted Lance's development and future prospects by stating, "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."
However, Jones also acknowledged the challenges that Lance might face in getting valuable playing time behind Prescott and Rush. "The issue is after preseason, how does he get his reps without something negative happening with Dak or, in this particular case, Cooper Rush?" he remarked, pointing out a significant hurdle in Lance's development path.
Strategic Decisions and Final Roster
As the preseason concluded with a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Cowboys' brain trust had to make critical decisions about the quarterback lineup. With Prescott assuring the first spot, attention turned to ensuring both Rush and Lance have roles that benefit both the team and their individual growth.
Jones confirmed that Lance would be included in the 53-man roster, expressing optimism about Lance’s future contributions. "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," he affirmed.
McCarthy's perspective on the quarterback depth was holistic. "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," he said, summarizing the team's strategic imperative.
As the Cowboys prepare for the regular season, the depth and flexibility of their quarterback lineup will undoubtedly be a point of strength. Rush’s steadiness and Lance’s potential present McCarthy and Jones with advantageous scenarios, creating a robust backup plan that fortifies the team's future.