Cowboys Projected to Cut Ties With Veteran Quarterback
As roster cuts get closer, the Dallas Cowboys will have to make a difficult decision at quarterback, with Cooper Rush probably being the odd man out. Rush signed a contract with the Cowboys in 2017. In 2022, he was placed on extended leave following Dak Prescott’s thumb injury. Rush passed for 1,051 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions in his four games. He has not played much outside of that timeframe, making just 49 pass attempts in his previous five seasons all together.
Trey Lance, a former third overall pick, is expected to replace Rush, who has been a dependable backup option. Dallas will likely decide to hold onto Lance after trading a fourth-round pick for him a year ago, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.
Cooper Rush did not take any action to lose the backup position. Lance has not taken many steps to suggest that he has genuinely surpassed Rush in the depth chart. On Wednesday, August 7, Machota said, “But if the Cowboys go with just two at the position, it is hard to believe that they will let Lance depart after dealing a fourth-round pick for him a year ago. “Rush appears to be the same guy he always is. Lance has had highs and lows. There are times when it appears simple to write him off, and other times when he performs well and demonstrates why the draft pick of 2021 thought highly of him.
Machota noted that Lance will be the “No. 1 player to watch” during the Cowboys’ preseason slate. The Cowboys’ initial unofficial depth chart showed Rush as the No. 2 quarterback behind Prescott and Lance as the third option.
On August 11, Dallas will play the Los Angeles Rams. Prescott is unlikely to see much, if any, action, and there will probably be plenty of reps available. Thus far in the NFL, Lance’s road has not been easy. However, he has a fresh start for the upcoming season and has an opportunity to make a difference.
“I think the biggest thing is I’ve learned a lot about myself and who I am on and off the field,” Lance told the Cowboys’ official site in May. “This offseason, I’ve been at my best mentally, physically, spiritually knowing who I am, where I am and being able to be present.”
Lance hasn’t played a live snap with the Cowboys but the team has been watching him closely. New offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer had liked what he’s seen out of Lance.
“What I see is a guy that’s going out each day and he’s competing at the highest level,” Schottenheimer said on August 1. “Is he making mistakes? Of course he is. But I see improvement every day. Trey has never done some of this stuff, so what I see is when his footwork speeds up and the ball comes out on time, he’s getting it, he’s starting to figure it out.”
The main topic of conversation this season regarding the Cowboys’ quarterback situation has been Prescott’s future. He is entering the final year of the four-year, $160 million deal he signed with the Cowboys in 2021. If Dallas doesn’t reach an extension with him, he’ll be a free agent next offseason.
Prescott finished second in the MVP voting the previous season despite leading the NFL in completions (410) and touchdown passes (36). He also accumulated 4,516 passing yards. When it comes to expressing his willingness to play for a different team in the event that things do not work out in Dallas, Prescott has never held back.
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