The NFL preseason is a critical phase for all teams, offering a window to assess key position battles and make strategic decisions. This year, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a unique situation centered around their quarterback lineup.
A Clear Starter, but Who's the Backup?
While Dak Prescott stands as the undisputed starter, the battle for the backup quarterback slot has garnered significant attention. Competing for this role are Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, each bringing different strengths and experiences to the field.
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old talent who went undrafted from Central Michigan, has been in the NFL since 2017. Known for his consistency and reliability, Rush has a track record that speaks volumes. Dallas has emerged victorious in five of his six starts when he filled in for an injured Prescott during the combined 2021 and 2022 seasons. This preseason, Rush completed 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards, adding weight to his candidacy.
"Cooper is the same man every single day. He is super consistent. He is on top of his game," remarked Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. "I think if you look at his snaps that he has had this year, definitely quality over quantity. This is clearly, in my time with him, his best camp. His decision-making has been on point."
Enter Trey Lance
On the other side of the battle is 24-year-old Trey Lance, who arrived in Dallas after being acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year. Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, shows immense potential and has already started making his mark in Dallas. He threw his first touchdown in the Cowboys' preseason victory over the Raiders, an achievement that didn't go unnoticed.
"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," commented Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner and general manager. "Do I need to see any more from Trey Lance? The answer is yes, but he's going to be on the 53."
The significance of these preseason performances cannot be overstated. McCarthy emphasized the importance of playing these scenarios out fully, mentioning, "You can never have enough good quarterbacks, and we got three good ones. We're fortunate."
Final Preparations and Future Outlook
The Cowboys' final preseason game, set against the Los Angeles Chargers, will likely be decisive regarding the backup quarterback position. With the acknowledgment from Jones that Lance will be on the 53-man roster, the upcoming game will offer one last chance for both Rush and Lance to make their case unequivocally.
Jones reflected on Rush's readiness and overall performance: "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp." Adding to this, he highlighted Lance's developmental trajectory: "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."
How this depth will be managed through the regular season remains a pertinent question. "The issue is after preseason, how does he get his reps without something negative happening with Dak or, in this particular case, Cooper Rush?" mused Jones, indicating the challenges of nurturing Lance’s potential without compromising the team’s immediate needs.
As the Cowboys inch closer to finalizing their roster, the quarterback battle exemplifies the nuances and hard decisions intrinsic to preseason NFL. Both contenders, Rush and Lance, have showcased their abilities, leaving the coaching staff and management to make a decision that could impact the team’s trajectory for the upcoming season.