Every NFL team leverages the preseason to assess key position battles, and for the Dallas Cowboys, this annual ritual is no different. Preseason games provide a crucial platform to evaluate talent and make strategic decisions—especially when it comes to the quarterback position, the most scrutinized and influential role on the field.
Quarterback Incumbent and Contenders
The Cowboys’ quarterback conundrum starts with their undisputed starter, Dak Prescott, but he isn’t the only player drawing attention. The battle for the Cowboys' backup quarterback slot for the 2024 season is intensifying, featuring Cooper Rush and Trey Lance as the main contenders.
Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been in the NFL since 2017. His tenure with the Cowboys has been marked by a notable record; Dallas has triumphed in five of his six starts when he stepped in for an injured Prescott during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. His preseason performance this year includes completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards, drawing mixed reactions but demonstrating solid reliability.
On the other side is Trey Lance, the 2021 NFL Draft's third overall pick, acquired by the Cowboys from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year. Lance, 24, has a promising future and has been a focal point for the coaching staff this offseason. As Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy puts it, Lance is set to be "a large part of the preseason."
Lance's highlight in the exhibition season was throwing his first touchdown in Dallas' preseason victory over the Raiders. Despite some growing pains, the young quarterback is showing signs of improvement that have not gone unnoticed.
Head Coach and Ownership Weigh In
Mike McCarthy has been vocal about the quarterback battle. "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 remarked, emphasizing the depth at the position. McCarthy has been notably impressed with 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," he detailed. This confidence extends to game situations where Rush's proficiency in two-minute drills consistently leads the Cowboys down the field.
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner and general manager, shares this optimism but also remains realistic about the challenges. "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp," Jones stated. He also noted Lance's potential and 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."
Final Decisions
Both McCarthy and Jones seem to agree that while Lance has shown improvement, the question remains about how to continue his development without displacing Prescott or 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?" Jones pondered.
As the Cowboys approach their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the focus will be on giving Lance more opportunities to showcase his talent. "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.
The narrative surrounding the Cowboys' quarterback situation underscores a broader NFL truth: depth at the quarterback position is invaluable. With Prescott firmly as the starter and both Rush and Lance impressing in their own rights, Dallas appears poised to have one of the most reliable quarterback lineups heading into the 2024 season.