Cowboys officially name backup quarterback for 2024 NFL season

With the 2024 NFL regular season less than one week away, the Dallas Cowboys have officially named Dak Prescott's primary backup quarterback.

Jun 4, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and quarterback Trey Lance (19) talk during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The writing was on the wall throughout the 2024 NFL preseason, but now the Dallas Cowboys have made it official.

With the regular season less than one week away, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy officially announced the team's primary backup quarterback.

As you would expect, it's none other than veteran Cooper Rush.

MORE: Cowboys backup Cooper Rush gets uninspiring label ahead of season

Mike McCarthy made it official. Cooper Rush is the Cowboys backup quarterback. Trey Lance made tremendous strides and they want to continue to develop him.
But Rush is QB2, as expected.

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) September 2, 2024

Trey Lance was given every opportunity to become QB2 during the preseason, but his inconsistency throwing the ball and his five-interception stinker in the preseason finale handed the job over to Rush.

Rush attempted just six passes during the preseason, completing three for 50 yards.

That was all he needed to win the job.

Rush has been a reliable quarterback over the past three seasons and has thrown for 1,619 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions when he's seen the field. He has a passer rating of 83.6.

During the 2022 season, Rush became the first Cowboys quarterback to win his first five starts. He is 5-1 as a starting quarterback. The Cowboys will hope Prescott can stay healthy for the entire season, but in a worst-case scenario, the team knows it can rely on Rush.

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