The preseason is a pivotal period for NFL teams to evaluate talent and make strategic decisions, particularly regarding key position battles. This year, the Dallas Cowboys are facing a significant decision at the quarterback position, beyond their undisputed starter, Dak Prescott. The battle for the backup quarterback role has boiled down to a competition between Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.
Cooper Rush: The Steady Veteran
Cooper Rush, a 30-year-old quarterback from Central Michigan, has spent much of his career flying under the radar since going undrafted in 2017. However, he has shown remarkable consistency when stepping in for an injured Prescott during the 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons, guiding Dallas to victory in five of his six starts. This knack for stepping up when needed 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 said. "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."
Rush's most recent preseason performance might have been subdued—completing 3 out of 6 passes for 50 yards—but consistency and reliability often matter more than one-off spectacles. Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner and general manager, also spoke highly of Rush. "Cooper Rush is someone that I am real impressed with out here, too. He's had a great camp," Jones noted.
Trey Lance: The Young Contender
On the other side of the competition stands Trey Lance, a 24-year-old former top prospect, who entered the NFL as the third overall pick in the 2021 Draft. Lance was acquired by the Cowboys from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick last year, with the hope of harnessing his raw talent and immense potential. Lance has shown flashes of brilliance, including throwing his first touchdown in Dallas' preseason victory over the Raiders.
Jones acknowledged Lance's needs for improvement but remains optimistic. "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."
Depth and Decisions
Though Lance is clearly a developmental project, Jones sees potential and is committed to giving him more opportunities to prove himself. "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. "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' final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers could provide a crucial platform for both Rush and Lance to showcase their abilities under pressure. As McCarthy puts 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."
Ultimately, the decision boils down to contrasting qualities: the proven reliability of Rush versus the high-upside potential of Lance. Both players have exhibited their strengths during this crucial period, and the Cowboys' coaching staff and management face a tough choice in finalizing their quarterback hierarchy. Whichever way the decision falls, Dallas believes it is fortunate to have multiple capable options behind Dak Prescott as they gear up for the 2024 NFL season.