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HomeSportsCowboys Draft Plans: Young QB in Sight as Prescott's Backups Depart

Cowboys Draft Plans: Young QB in Sight as Prescott’s Backups Depart

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks, Trey Lance, Cooper Rush, 2024 NFL Draft, 2025 NFL Free Agency, Quarterback injuries, Quarterback depth, Brian Schottenheimer

The Cowboys’ Quarterback Conundrum: Navigating Post-Prescott Uncertainty

The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season provided a sobering glimpse into life without star quarterback Dak Prescott. After Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, the team was thrust into an unfamiliar territory, reigniting questions about the future of the quarterback position in Dallas.

Despite Prescott’s contract situation – which effectively locks him into the starting role through 2028 – changes are imminent in the Cowboys’ quarterback room. With both backup quarterbacks, Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, set to hit free agency next month, the team is facing a pivotal offseason decision.

According to Cowboys chief operating officer and co-owner Stephen Jones, neither Rush nor Lance is likely to return to Dallas. This development has opened the door for the Cowboys to explore the NFL Draft as a potential avenue to acquire a new signal-caller.

"I think one of our goals is to get a young quarterback in the draft," Jones said. "That’s why we gave a [fourth-round pick] for Trey. 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."

Lance, who was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers prior to the 2023 season, filled the backup role after Prescott’s injury. However, with two years as the third-string quarterback under his belt, Jones believes that Lance may be seeking a new opportunity.

Meanwhile, Rush stepped into the starting role following Prescott’s injury, mirroring his performance from 2022 when he started five games after Prescott broke his thumb. In 2024, Rush went 4-4 in eight games.

Jones acknowledged that the Cowboys could be priced out of retaining Rush in free agency. "We just don’t know what he’s going to cost," Jones said. "When we’re paying Dak what we’re paying him, unfortunately, we do have to go cheap there."

Prescott’s hefty contract, which carries an annual cap hit of at least $62 million per year, has created financial constraints for the Cowboys. This has forced the team to prioritize cost-effectiveness in acquiring backup quarterbacks.

While the Cowboys are looking to add a potential backup passer on Day 2 or 3 of this year’s draft, it’s worth noting that Prescott himself was a fourth-round pick who eventually emerged as the starting quarterback during his rookie season.

The Cowboys’ quarterback situation remains fluid as the offseason approaches. With both backup quarterbacks set to depart, the team will look to the draft to find a suitable replacement. However, the Cowboys’ long-term commitment to Prescott ensures that the starting quarterback job is not up for grabs in 2025.

The upcoming offseason will be a crucial period for the Cowboys as they navigate the post-Prescott uncertainty and reshape the quarterback room in Dallas. With a young, talented roster on both sides of the ball, the Cowboys are poised to make a deep playoff run in 2025. The acquisition of a promising backup quarterback will be a key factor in their quest for success.

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