The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 NFL season took a significant turn in Week 10 when it was confirmed that quarterback Dak Prescott would undergo season-ending surgery for a hamstring injury.
This unfortunate setback has thrust backup quarterback Cooper Rush into the spotlight as the Cowboys’ leader under center for the remainder of the season. Despite a rough performance in the aftermath of Prescott’s injury, both Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy have publicly reaffirmed their confidence in Rush as the team’s starting quarterback.
Jerry Jones wasted no time addressing the situation, making it clear that he fully supports the decision to stick with Rush despite his struggles in the Cowboys’ 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. On the radio station 105.3 The FAN, Jones explained why the Cowboys are not turning to Trey Lance, despite the obvious need for a stable quarterback. “Cooper has shown that he has the capability to compete and win games. And he does give us our best chance,” Jones said, stressing that the Week 10 performance was an anomaly. “Frankly, that was really an out-of-character game for him based on what we’ve seen.”
Rush’s performance against the Eagles was undeniably disappointing. The backup quarterback finished the game with a meager 13 completions on 23 attempts for just 45 yards. It was a performance that left fans and analysts questioning whether the Cowboys could remain competitive with Rush leading the offense. However, Jones was quick to defend Rush, stating that the quarterback was not at fault for the loss and that the team was confident in his ability to rebound. “He was not the Cooper Rush we know,” Jones said. “A lot of things went wrong for us out there. He can play better than that.”
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In the aftermath of Prescott’s injury, the Cowboys have placed their trust in Rush, and head coach Mike McCarthy was clear on Monday that he plans to keep the 30-year-old under center for the Cowboys’ Week 11 matchup against the Houston Texans. McCarthy echoed Jones’ sentiments, highlighting Rush’s past performances as evidence of his capability. “Cooper Rush will be the starter this week,” McCarthy said. “We’ve got a lot of faith in Cooper. Everybody believes in him. How can you not based on how he has performed?”
McCarthy acknowledged that Rush’s performance against the Eagles left much to be desired, particularly with an early fumble and a general lack of rhythm throughout the game. “That fumble and the recovery attempt was off to a rough start… I just felt like he never got into a rhythm,” McCarthy admitted. Despite the setbacks, McCarthy emphasized that Rush’s previous outings have earned him the benefit of the doubt. “He’s shown us he can lead this team,” McCarthy added.
One area where both Jones and McCarthy seem to agree is in the continued development of Trey Lance. While Rush remains the starter, the Cowboys are not closing the door on Lance, who could see more playing time in certain packages. Jones has already hinted at giving Lance an opportunity, and McCarthy was also on board with the idea. “I thought he did some good things, and there are some things that he can learn from. It was good to get better,” McCarthy said about Lance’s limited action against the Eagles. “It’s not (difficult to add Lance packages). Trey actually, when he got in there, ran the two-minute, no-huddle offense. That wasn’t just things that we put in for him. So he ran the same packages as Dak and Cooper.”
While Lance’s role on the field may be expanding, it’s clear that the Cowboys’ starting quarterback for now is still Rush. McCarthy’s remarks suggest that the team isn’t rushing to make any changes, instead focusing on giving Lance opportunities to grow while still relying on Rush to lead the offense. With Prescott out for the season, the Cowboys need to find ways to stay competitive, and both Rush and Lance will likely be asked to step up in the weeks to come.
In an effort to bolster depth at the quarterback position, the Cowboys also made a move to bring in a familiar face. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that Dallas had signed veteran quarterback Will Grier to their practice squad. Grier, who had a brief stint with the Cowboys during the 2021-2022 seasons, was recently released by the Philadelphia Eagles on November 7. The addition of Grier provides the Cowboys with another option at quarterback, ensuring that the team has additional depth behind Rush and Lance as they navigate Prescott’s absence.
Rush’s ability to bounce back from his poor performance against the Eagles will be critical to the Cowboys’ success in the second half of the 2024 season. With games against the Texans and other key opponents coming up, the Cowboys will need a steady hand at quarterback to keep their playoff hopes alive. Jones and McCarthy’s backing of Rush is a strong indication that the Cowboys are committed to his growth and will continue to give him the opportunities he needs to succeed.
It’s important to note that Rush’s previous performances have given the Cowboys confidence that he is capable of leading this team. His stint as the starter in the 2021 season, when he stepped in for Prescott and led the Cowboys to multiple wins, has earned him the benefit of the doubt. However, the pressure will be on Rush to prove that his Week 10 struggles were indeed an anomaly and not a sign of things to come.
As the Cowboys continue their quest for a playoff spot in 2024, much of their success will depend on the performance of their quarterbacks. Rush must demonstrate that he can consistently handle the reins of an NFL offense, while Lance will likely be brought in for specific packages to further expand the Cowboys’ offensive options. The road ahead won’t be easy for Dallas, but with the backing of both Jones and McCarthy, Rush will have every opportunity to prove himself as a capable starting quarterback.
The Cowboys’ quarterback situation is far from ideal, but with the right leadership and continued faith in their backups, they will look to keep their season on track while they wait for Prescott’s eventual return.
