Assessing the Cowboys' Quarterback Dynamics in the Preseason
The NFL preseason serves as an essential platform for teams to evaluate talent and make strategic decisions, and this year, the Dallas Cowboys face a compelling quarterback conundrum. While Dak Prescott remains the undisputed starter, the battle for the backup quarterback position is heating up between Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been a steady presence since joining the NFL in 2017. Despite his undrafted status, Rush has demonstrated impressive abilities, particularly when stepping in for an injured Prescott during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The Cowboys have triumphed in five of Rush's six starts, showcasing his capability to lead the team under pressure.
This preseason, Rush has continued to make his case, completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards. His head coach, Mike McCarthy, has taken notice, 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." McCarthy praised Rush's decision-making and footwork, highlighting this camp as his best yet.
Adding another layer to the competition is Trey Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, acquired by the Cowboys from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year. Lance, at just 24 years old, is still developing but has shown flashes of his potential. He threw his first touchdown for Dallas in their preseason victory over the Raiders, a promising sign for his future with the team.
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner and general manager, expressed his impression of both quarterbacks. "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp," Jones remarked. On Lance, Jones noted the ongoing improvement, 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." Jones also confirmed Lance's spot on the 53-man roster, emphasizing the need to see more from him in upcoming games.
The final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers will be pivotal for Lance as he seeks to secure more playing time and further showcase his abilities. Jones highlighted the importance of this opportunity: "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' coaching staff faces a challenging decision as they weigh Rush's consistency and reliability against Lance's raw talent and potential for growth. McCarthy summed up the situation aptly, "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."
With the preseason winding down, the competition between Rush and Lance will be closely monitored, as every rep and performance could tip the balance. The Cowboys, with their established starter in Prescott and promising candidates for the backup role, find themselves in an enviable position, equipped with depth and talent at the quarterback spot.