McCarthy reveals Cowboys QB rotation for Rush and Lance in Dak's absence

FRISCO, Texas – Dak Prescott will not take the field against the Philadelphia Eagles, and how much time he is likely to miss will soon be determined by the Dallas Cowboys, but until his return to the field, Mike McCarthy left no room for interpretation regarding the quarterback rotation with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.

When the Week 10 contest begins Sunday at AT&T Stadium, Rush will be named the starter, an expected decision from the Cowboys' head coach.

“Cooper played really good football for us,” he said. “I think his chances are 5-1. As I said, we have great confidence in him.”

McCarthy explained Rush's true value to the organization and the locker room.

“[That record] goes way beyond 5-1,” he said of his other veteran quarterback. “Cooper Rush is as respected as a backup quarterback as anyone since, I would say Rich Gannon. “He has that kind of credibility. He's a great teammate. He is someone the young people can lean on – incredibly smart, instinctive and does a great job leading the scout team.

“He just does everything right. An excellent professional. There will be a lot of confidence in him.”

“Rush initially joined the Cowboys in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan after spending nearly his entire career as Prescott’s understudy. His only move away from Dallas was a brief stint with the New York Giants in 2020, where he temporarily reunited with former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett.

He would return in 2021 to defeat Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci and reclaim the QB2 role. The highlight of his season was a 20-16 victory over the Vikings in Minnesota – with a gutsy comeback for a 25-yard, two-touchdown victory at US Bank Stadium while Prescott was nursing a calf injury.

In 2022, with Prescott sidelined by a broken thumb on his throwing hand, Rush helped lead the Cowboys to a 4-1 record, cementing his status as one of the most reliable backup quarterbacks in the NFL.

Lance, a former third overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, continues to develop behind Rush despite limited game reps, having seen his most in-game work this preseason after being acquired from the Cowboys via trade a calendar year earlier.

Because he has far less experience, Lance will serve as QB2.

“Trey Lance just has to play,” McCarthy said. “I know I've probably said that 20 times over the course of preseason and I think the fact that he was able to get game reps. Look at Trey, from the moment he arrived and the things he had to work on, the footwork.” -technically and conceptually, but another outstanding, outstanding teammate. He’s a big part of our quarterback room and how we operate.

“They are all responsible for game planning and presentations throughout the week, and Trey does a great job in that area – especially with the signals. He’s ready to go and be No. 2.”

The pressure on Rush is on again in Week 10, but he's no stranger to it. And for Lance, for the first time in his Cowboys career, it's about being ready at all times.