The Dallas Cowboys are expected to make some changes to the quarterback roster before the start of the regular season. The Cowboys could see a major switch-up as Trey Lance takes a leap this offseason, and Dak Prescott’s situation with the front office continues to be at a standstill.
Dak Prescott is having a good showing at OTAs
The Cowboys have Prescott under contract for the 2024 season. After that, the Cowboys must either decide to pay him or let him walk away in free agency. Prescott isn’t leaving town without a fight. As previously discussed on GH, head coach Mike McCarthy said Prescott is showing his best stuff at OTAs this spring:
Per the Cowboys’ website, McCarthy said McCarthy was having his best offseason:
“I think Dak is having his best offseason program that we’ve had,” McCarthy said. “This atmosphere that we’ve practiced in with the quarterback and receivers has really hit the mark. I’ve been very impressed with the quality of work…
“With the quarterback, when the connection is there in the perimeter realm — and that’s been the majority of our physical activity — the connection is better,” McCarthy said. “The receivers are playing with more urgency, more reps. The timing is better. The real test will be when we get to training camp.”
Is Trey Lance capable of being Prescott’s successor?
However, the Cowboys need to consider the possibility that Prescott will not be with the team in 2025. They could look to the San Francisco 49ers former first-round pick Trey Lance. The Cowboys traded for Lance during the preseason last year, and McCarthy said last week that he likes where Lance is headed in OTAs.
“Young quarterback comes into a new system. So you got the learning curve, but now starting to get the timing with the routes,” McCarthy said. “[Trey Lance is] close to being a master of the system. He has a really high understanding. He’s communicating very well. He looks more and more comfortable. He just needs reps. I know I say that every time I talk about him. He just needs as many reps as he can.”
The Cowboys could give Lance the QB2 job in the fall to see if he has the potential to be Prescott’s successor in 2025. That would leave Cooper Rush as the odd man out.
Dallas Cowboys predicted to demote Cooper Rush
K.D. Drummond with Cowboys Wire developed a 53-man roster projection before training camp. They have Lance being demoted to the practice squad for the upcoming season.
Rush spent years on the active roster as a backup for the Cowboys since they signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He briefly spent time on the New York Giants practice squad in 2020 before they released him in September of that season. Rush would sign with the Cowboys a few weeks later.
Rush has not been a valuable backup for the Cowboys, but he’s not the long-term solution at the starting position. Lance has a chance to be a starter. The Cowboys need to find Lance’s ceiling. Rush could help the Cowboys in 2024, just in a new role.
