Cowboys Backup QB Depth Tested After Preseason

Dallas faces a backup quarterback dilemma after a preseason showing that highlighted depth questions behind Dak Prescott.

Cowboys Backup QB Depth Tested After Preseason

Dak Prescott has missed 26 games in the last five seasons, and Dallas has leaned on Cooper Rush during those stretches. In the latest preseason game at AT&T Stadium, Rush started and finished 20-of-30 for 198 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions as Baltimore beat Dallas 31-13. Joe Milton, the Cowboys’ summer addition, completed 9-of-18 for 122 yards with an interception and a sack for a safety. In the first half Milton went 2-of-8 for 14 yards with an interception and a sack for a safety.

The Cowboys acquired Milton after not being able to keep Rush. They also have Will Grier, who has not played in a game since 2019. Milton is viewed as a developmental quarterback, similar to Trey Lance last year. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team does not need to decide on a backup quarterback today and that they must be ready to play with whoever is available. Dallas’ 2020 season featured Andy Dalton stepping in after Prescott’s injury, followed by Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci when Dalton was hurt, underscoring the franchise’s ongoing depth concerns.

The gap behind Prescott is now clear. Milton is a development project, not a finished product, and Rush is proven but not a long-term fix. Dallas faces a practical test: can a committee of inexperienced players run the offense without sacrificing the run game and protection? The coaching staff will need a concrete plan, not hope, to protect the ball and move the chains if Prescott is out again.

Beyond Dallas, this is a reminder that the NFL prizes depth at quarterback. A single injury can derail a season. The Cowboys may need to explore veteran options or adjust the roster quickly to avoid a similar fate in a tighter division, especially if the plan hinges on unproven talent.

Highlights

The season will reveal whether Dallas can balance patience with urgency in building a dependable quarterback room.