Cowboys QB depth chart: Quarterbacks at training camp

The Dallas Cowboys have their obvious starter at quarterback with Dak Prescott. Despite Jerry Jones’ lack of urgency (coincidental choice of words there) to get a contract extension going for Dak, it doesn’t change the fact that he is coming off of one of his best seasons yet.

In 2023, Prescott had 4,516 yards for 36 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in 17 starts and earned his third Pro Bowl nod. While he’s looking for a contract extension that could be in the range of $55-60 million, he’s currently entering the last year of his four-year, $160 million deal. He will without a doubt be the Cowboys starter this season, but with the contract talks not coming to a solution anytime soon and with his lingering ankle issues striking fear into Cowboys fans, the backup is a more important role than it seems.

Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Depth Chart

30-year-old Cooper Rush has already proven he can be a sturdy backup to Prescott. He’s filled in for Prescott several times, with six starts for the Cowboys with a 5-1 record and thrown for 1,619 yards and eight touchdowns.

Trey Lance, on the other hand, may be younger, but has left a lot to be desired during his time in the league. With the 49ers, he dealt with injuries and was eventually overshadowed by Brock Purdy. In his first season with the Cowboys, we didn’t get to see anything of him as he signed after the preseason and then spent the whole season on the bench as the third string QB.

So this season, there were a lot of questions surrounding the former first-round pick, who the Cowboys traded for last year. In the Cowboys’ preseason opener against the Rams, Lance did not reassure anyone that he is a good backup option to Prescott. He completed 61% of his 41 passes for 188 yards and rushed for 44 yards on six carries. His accuracy was the biggest question with several overthrown passes and two missed touchdown throws. He was also sacked three times.

This week against the Las Vegas Raiders, Lance did provide a sliver hope. There were still a lot of problems, but it was an improvement.

His first pass attempt of the Game was too long, and his second was too high. After that, he started to get in the groove, completing seven passes in the first half and taking the Cowboys down to the end zone on a 76-yard drive ending with a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ryan Flournoy. He also improved in the pocket, at one point throwing an 11-yard pass to tight end Luke Schoonmaker under pressure, and at another, scrambling for 20 yards to set up Brandon Aubrey’s 66-yard field goal. In the final quarter, he threw a 30-yard pass to Racey McMath and drove in a rushing touchdown.