Evaluating the Cowboys' Quarterback Depth Ahead of the 2024 Season
Every NFL team leverages the preseason to assess key position battles, and for the Dallas Cowboys, deciding the backup quarterback for Dak Prescott is a critical task. The Cowboys enter the 2024 season with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance as the main contenders for this role.
Cooper Rush: The Steady Veteran
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been a reliable figure for the Cowboys since joining the NFL in 2017. Rush has made a name for himself, particularly in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, stepping in for an injured Prescott and leading Dallas to victories in five of his six starts.
Rush's recent preseason performance includes completing 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards, a stat that doesn't fully capture his consistent and reliable presence on the field. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy praised Rush, stating, "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."
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner and general manager, echoed this sentiment: "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp."
Trey Lance: The Promising Young Talent
On the other side of the competition is Trey Lance, a 24-year-old quarterback who was the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lance joined the Cowboys last year from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Despite being relatively new to the team, Lance has shown significant promise. He threw his first touchdown in Dallas' preseason victory over the Raiders, a milestone that hasn't gone unnoticed.
Jones highlighted Lance's growth: "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."
McCarthy also noted the depth of talent in the quarterback room: "You can never have enough good quarterbacks, and we got three good ones. We're fortunate."
The Road Ahead
The Cowboys' final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers will be a crucial test for both Rush and Lance. Jones has confirmed that Lance will be on the 53-man roster, but questions remain about how he will get sufficient reps during the season. Jones pondered, "The issue is after preseason, how does he get his reps without something negative happening with Dak or, in this particular case, Cooper Rush?"
For Lance, getting more game time is essential. "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," said Jones.
Conclusion
As the Cowboys navigate these final stages of their preseason, the performances of Cooper Rush and Trey Lance will be pivotal in shaping the team's quarterback strategy for the 2024 season. With a reliable veteran and a promising young talent vying for the backup spot, the Cowboys are in an enviable position of depth and potential at this critical position.