The Dallas Cowboys are once again deep into their annual preseason ritual, aiming to make crucial evaluations, particularly at the ever-important quarterback position. With Dak Prescott firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback, the focus shifts to the battle for the backup role between Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.
Cooper Rush: The Consistent Veteran
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old undrafted talent from Central Michigan, has been a steady presence for the Cowboys since entering the NFL in 2017. Known for his consistent performances, Rush stepped up admirably when Prescott was injured during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, guiding Dallas to victories in five of his six starts.
Rush's preseason performance this year has seen him complete 3 of 6 passes for 50 yards—a performance that has not gone unnoticed by Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. "Cooper is the same man every single day. He is super consistent. He is on top of his game," McCarthy remarked, lauding the veteran's dependability and decision-making. "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."
Trey Lance: The Young Contender
On the other side of the competition is Trey Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, whom the Cowboys acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year. At just 24 years old, Lance represents a blend of youth and potential that the Cowboys find intriguing. In Dallas' preseason victory over the Raiders, Lance delivered a promising performance, throwing his first touchdown for the team.
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner and general manager, is optimistic about Lance's potential yet acknowledges the need for further development. "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 stated, pointing out the positive strides Lance has shown. "You saw that mettle clicking in and adjustments that he hadn’t made, let’s say as early as the week before."
The Depth Dilemma
Head coach Mike McCarthy and Jones both recognize the value of having depth at the quarterback position. "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," McCarthy said, highlighting the team’s abundance of talent at the position.
However, the equation becomes more complex when considering playing time and development for the backups. "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, highlighting the challenge of ensuring Lance receives enough practice and game exposure without displacing the other quarterbacks.
Eyes on the Future
With the Cowboys' final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on the horizon, Jones has already confirmed that Lance will be on the team's 53-man roster. "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 asserted.
This development brings to light the Cowboys’ strategic planning and commitment to nurturing talent while ensuring they're prepared for any scenario during the regular season. As they make their final assessments in the preseason, the decisions surrounding the quarterback depth chart will be pivotal for the Cowboys' aspirations in the 2024 season.