FRISCO, Texas – Quarterback, arguably the most important position in football. It's also one that the Cowboys have invested a lot in, as Mike McCarthy's strong history in developing the position has proven itself again in Dallas. Let's take a look at the current quarterback contract situation heading into the 2024 offseason:
Dak Prescott
In case you hadn't heard, Prescott became the highest-paid player in NFL history last offseason when he and the Cowboys agreed to terms on a four-year, $240 million deal including $231 million in guaranteed money. That's good for $60 million per year, keeping him in Dallas through the end of the 2028 season.
Prescott missed a majority of the 2024 season with a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, a year removed from a 2023 season where Prescott was the MVP runner-up with 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns. Prescott will be back under center for the Cowboys in 2025 and is continuing to progress in the recovery process.
"Gained some strength in it … started to use it a little bit," Prescott told reporters following the Cowboys' Week 17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. "Yeah, I'm probably a few weeks, maybe a month, from running, running. But got on the bike. So I'm definitely doing some things, moving more."
Now the question is how Prescott plays following the injury. Beforehand, he had some ups and downs in the 2024 season with 11 touchdowns but eight interceptions, one short of the amount he threw over the course of the entire 2023 season. It goes without saying that if Prescott is able to get back to playing an MVP-like level in he did 2023, the Cowboys offense will look drastically different.
Cooper Rush
Rush was once again called upon to step up in place of Prescott during an injury, the same role he shouldered for the Cowboys in 2022 when Prescott missed time with a fractured thumb. In that season, Rush was 4-1 as a starter and kept the Cowboys season alive, which set up a 12-5 finish to the regular season and a wild card victory behind Prescott's return.
With those five starts in mind, Rush signed a two-year, $5 million deal with the Cowboys heading into the 2023 season, which means he'll now head to the market as an unrestricted free agent. Rush briefly spent time with former head coach Jason Garrett with the New York Giants in 2020 after being waived, but made his way back to Dallas a few months later.
If nothing else, Rush has proven that he can be a serviceable backup quarterback option for the Cowboys. He's gone 9-5 in 14 starts for the Cowboys, and while wins may not be a quarterback stat, Rush has done his job efficiently for the most part in terms of operating the offense. An option for the Cowboys and Rush should they decide to agree to terms on is the veteran minimum, which would be a one-year, $1.17 million deal.
Regardless of what's ahead, Rush has appreciated each rep that he's been able to take with the Cowboys and in the NFL.
"You've got two left only, and that's all you're promised and, as a backup, you go through stints where you won't play for a while," Rush said before Week 17. "You cherish all these moments. You really enjoy it and, I think I've said it before, enjoying getting to go out there and play. … I don't think the future is the driver because you always have something to prove."
Trey Lance
The other side to the QB2 battle in Dallas is Trey Lance, who the Cowboys traded a fourth round pick to the 49ers for in 2023. Lance started just one game for the Cowboys in the 2024 season finale against the Commanders, where he completed 20 of his 34 passing attempts for 244 yards.
Lance has completed the final year of his four-year, $34.1 million rookie contract, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason. That begs the question: Will the Cowboys make a decision between one of Rush or Lance as QB2, or find a way to bring back both?
Lance spoke after the Week 18 loss to Washington about his time in Dallas, and was appreciative of the opportunity that he's received over the last two years to develop his talents with the Cowboys.
"I'm thankful for all my teammates and coaches, and everyone in this organization that's done everything for me in these last two years," Lance said. "It's been a ton of fun. I learned a ton."
Lance also recognizes that free agency is ahead, but his mind wasn't there immediately following the game.
"We'll see what happens," Lance said. "Like I said, I really haven't even got into the whole free agency thing or anything like that, but I know it's coming. I know it's around the corner."
Will Grier
After leaving everything on the field in the 2023 preseason finale, Will Grier returned to the Cowboys on the practice squad for additional quarterback depth following Prescott's injury in Week 9.
Grier remained on the practice squad for a majority of the season, but was signed to the active roster ahead of Week 18's game against the Washington. On Monday evening, the team announced that they would be extending Grier (along with LB Darius Harris), meaning that Grier will be back in 2025 as well.
While Grier only served as the emergency quarterback against the Commanders, he'll always be remembered for his emotional final preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he threw for 302 yards with two passing touchdowns while adding another 53 rushing yards on 10 carries with two rushing touchdowns.
Heading forward, Grier knows his role on the Cowboys roster and looks forward to filling it, and competing for it as well.
"I think the main thing I bring, right now, is I'm just trying to bring some good vibes to this locker room," Grier said after he was signed to the practice squad. "I just want to come in here and enjoy everybody, to enjoy the opportunity to play football games for the Cowboys and try to win some games. That's the main thing that I want to bring right now — is just some gratitude and appreciation for this opportunity the good Lord has given us."
