Neither Cooper Rush nor Trey Lance are on the last days of their contracts in Dallas, but that doesn’t mean the Cowboys won’t look to upgrade at the spot behind starting quarterback Dak Prescott this offseason. Prescott needed no help in 2023, save for some fourth-quarter relief, but as Rush proved in 2022, a backup quarterback can make or break your season.
Almost half of the NFL’s 32 teams needed their backups to play significant snaps this season, including the Jets, Vikings, Colts, Bengals and Browns. As Prescott ages, Jerry Jones could attempt to install a more experienced veteran behind him than Rush or Lance.
Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com suggested three names this week of quarterbacks set to enter free agency next month that the team could look at, starting with Titans QB Ryan Tannehill. The 35-year-old veteran played 10 games for Tennessee this season and is still potentially starter material. He last signed a four-year deal for $118 million.
Next on the list of potential QB2s is Gardner Minshew. Minshew was essentially the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts after the injury to rookie Anthony Richardson. Though the Colts missed out on the playoffs, the former Jaguars starter led them to a 9-8 finish while throwing 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His last deal was for one year, $3.5 million.
Lastly, journeyman Jacoby Brissett could be a guy for the Cowboys to call next month. He played in just three games for the Commanders this season, but he went 18-for-23 in two games with three touchdowns, which is about as good as he could do in relief of Sam Howell.
Rush, Lance still under contract in 2024
Cooper Rush is still under contract with the Cowboys through 2025 after signing a new two-year deal for $6 million last offseason. Rush accumulated 1,051 passing yards with five touchdowns and three picks as Prescott’s early-season relief in 2022. He had a completion percentage of 58%.
The former unsigned free agent out of Central Michigan played an important role after Prescott exited the Cowboys’ Week 1 game versus Tampa Bay. The QB1’s thumb fracture pushed Rush into the starting job and he led the team to a 4-2 start. The early-season boot put Dallas in a position to finish the season with a 12-5 record.
It would also be a surprise if the Cowboys moved on from Trey Lance. After trading a fourth-round pick for him to the 49ers, Dallas has one more year on his rookie deal. Perhaps the team was hoping Lance would push Rush for the QB2 role in 2023, but that wasn’t the case. He saw no action this year.
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