Can Trey Lance Win Backup QB Battle at Cowboys Training Camp?

Many questions surround the Dallas Cowboys' quarterback room as minicamp has ended and eyes shift toward training camp in Oxnard.

While that is still a little while away, there will be a host of storylines to watch as the battle for positions heats up. One of the most intriguing things to watch unfold is who Dak Prescott's backup will be.

Cooper Rush has been a dependable backup for Dak over the years. In 2022, he led the team on a 4-1 run while Prescott dealt with a thumb injury.

Rush wasn't flashy and played within his limitations, and the Cowboys' defense took charge. Rush didn't put the football in harm's way, and it wasn't until he faced the Philadelphia Eagles that it all came unstuck, completing just 18 of his 38 passes for 181 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.

But Cooper proved he can be a dependable backup.

Now to Lance.

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Trey has been perhaps one of the best storylines to emerge from OTAs and minicamps. He is getting a full offseason of work with quarterback coach Scott Tolzien, and the improvements have been noticeable.

Head coach Mike McCarthy says Lance is close to mastering the "Texas Coast Offense" and has looked confident in his operation.

With so much uncertainty about all of the quarterbacks on Dallas' roster, as none are under contract past 2024, Lance is facing a defining offseason. With Prescott's contract not sorted yet, could Trey be using this offseason to not only put himself in the shop window for other teams but possibly Jerry Jones and the Cowboys in 2024 as a starter? While a little outlandish, it is an interesting thought.

But first, he has to beat out Rush for the backup role, which, no disrespect to Rush, is a battle Lance should win.

Training camp will be fascinating to watch for a variety of reasons, but the most intriguing is how Lance develops when he isn't throwing against air. In full pads and against a Mike Zimmer defense that loves to pressure, we will get a true gauge of how Lance has developed in McCarthy's system.

We know what Rush is as a quarterback. No fuss, dependable, and gets the job done, but Lance is an unknown commodity.

Now, he has the chance to showcase why he was such a high draft pick, and in the Oxnard sun, Lance might fully arrive as a Dallas Cowboy and emerge as the undisputed QB2.

Because, well, he has to, doesn't he?