Dallas Cowboys Planning for Quarterback Future

INDIANAPOLIS — The Cowboys are taking a hard look at their quarterback situation as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season. After trading a fourth-round pick to bring in Trey Lance from San Francisco, the team is now considering drafting another young quarterback to develop behind Dak Prescott.

This season, Prescott will be the highest-paid player in the NFL, which complicates the financial situation for his backups. As both Lance and Cooper Rush enter free agency, Cowboys’ chief operating officer Stephen Jones has indicated that the team may not bring Lance back. “We took a shot at Trey and wanted to do that,” Jones explained. “But with Dak signed for the long term, I think he’s probably going to be looking for something different.”

Lance’s journey with the Cowboys has been somewhat brief. He was acquired just before the 2023 preseason and played only four games with one start, completing 25 of 41 passes for 266 yards with a single interception. He also rushed for 41 yards on 11 attempts. With a new head coach in place, the team has made it clear they want to secure a fresh face at quarterback.

Jones stated, “You know, I think one of our goals is to get a young quarterback in the draft. I don’t know where that’s going to be. It seems like all the quarterbacks, even guys we have in the fourth round, go in the first. They always go so much higher than what you think.”

As for Rush, who has a 9-5 record filling in for Prescott, Jones expressed uncertainty about his future, saying, “You know how much we think of Cooper. We just don’t know what he’s going to cost. When we’re paying Dak what we’re paying him, unfortunately we do have to go cheap there.”

The Cowboys have a challenging road ahead when it comes to ensuring they secure a reliable backup behind Prescott, while also remaining financially responsible. As the offseason unfolds, the team’s decisions regarding their quarterback lineup will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.