Preseason Showdown: Cowboys' Backup QB Battle Heats Up
With the NFL preseason in full swing, every team is busy evaluating their rosters and making crucial strategic decisions, especially regarding the quarterback position. The Dallas Cowboys are no exception, using this period to closely scrutinize their quarterback depth chart behind their undeniable leader, Dak Prescott.
Dak Prescott's Solid Footing
As the Cowboys' unquestioned starter, Dak Prescott’s position is secure. However, the spotlight intensifies when it comes to determining who will serve as his backup for the 2024 season. The competition has narrowed down to two primary contenders: Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.
Cooper Rush: The Reliable Veteran
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old quarterback who came into the league as an undrafted talent from Central Michigan in 2017, has proven his mettle when called upon. Over the past seasons, Rush has stepped up when Prescott was sidelined due to injury, leading the Cowboys to five victories out of six starts in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. This preseason, Rush continued to showcase his skills, completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards, demonstrating once again why he remains a valuable asset to the team.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy had high praise for Rush, noting, "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, adding, "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp."
Trey Lance: The Promising Prospect
On the other side of the competition is Trey Lance, a talented young quarterback who was the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lance joined the Cowboys last year after being acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick. At 24 years old, Lance has displayed glimpses of his potential, including throwing his first touchdown in Dallas' preseason victory over the Raiders.
Jones has been watching Lance’s development closely, 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."
Coaching Insights and Team Strategy
The Cowboys have embraced the philosophy that having depth at the quarterback position is vital to their success. As Coach McCarthy succinctly put it, "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."
The coaching staff’s approach this preseason has been to ensure their quarterbacks get meaningful snaps, balancing the playtime between Dak, Rush, and Lance. "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. It's a delicate balance that the Cowboys are keen to manage effectively.
Looking Ahead to the Final Preseason Game
The Cowboys' final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers will be pivotal, especially for Lance. Jones highlighted the importance of giving Lance more playing time, saying, "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."
With the team confirming that Lance will be part of the 53-man roster, the final game will be crucial in further assessing his readiness and potential role in the lineup. As the Cowboys wrap up their preseason, the competition between Rush and Lance remains a key storyline, promising to add an interesting dynamic to the team’s campaign ahead.