Dallas Cowboys: The case for keeping three quarterbacks

The Dallas Cowboys don’t traditionally keep three quarterbacks on the final 53-man roster but this season they’d be wise to consider it.

The Dallas Cowboys, like every NFL team, is in the process of evaluating their roster. Loaded at 90, the Cowboys must find a way to whittle down to just 53 players before the regular season kicks off. Tough choices are inevitably coming and the strong play of third string quarterback, Cooper Rush, further complicates matters.

This isn’t complaining. It’s truly a blessing to be faced with more talent than roster spots. But this is an important issue to address now, rather than on the eleventh hour.

Cooper Rush

Cooper Rush, 6’3” 228lbs, joined the Dallas Cowboys this offseason as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan. At Central Michigan, Rush started 50 games, passing for 12,891 yards, and delivering 90 touchdowns.

Despite the impressive college record, Rush went undrafted. His unimpressive physique, combined with his below average arm, told scouts his skills won’t translate to the NFL level. But the Dallas Cowboys were intrigued. What Rush lacked in some areas he made up for elsewhere. Said Lance Zierlein at NFL.com:

"“Juggernaut in the film room. Hits the field with well-conceived plans of attack based on his studies. Makes all the presnap decisions rather than looking to the sideline. Quick processor able to scan and decide rapidly. Interceptions rarely the result of poor decisions.”"

Rush was an actuarial science major in school, holding an impressive 3.9 GPA. Not just naturally smart, he was hard working and well-prepared too. He fit the mold of what coaches like Jason Garrett and Scott Linehan look for in a QB. In fact, NFL.com’s NFL comparison player for him was none other than Kellen Moore. While that may send shivers up your spine, it explains what he’s doing in Dallas and why he’s finding some success in the system.

QB2 or QB3

At this point in the preseason, Cooper Rush at QB3 has been outplaying Kellen Moore at QB2. Because of this, many are lobbing for a reorder of the depth chart. After watching them play, it’s hard to argue with that logic. We’ve seen enough from Kellen Moore to know he’ll never be a starting NFL quarterback. His slight stature combined with his dink and dunk passing attack (to use the word “attack” in the loosest way possible), say he lacks the ability to even effectively drive a bus, so to speak.

But he knows Scott Linehan and the Dallas Cowboys’ offense better than anyone on the roster, and as backup, that is his primary responsibility. By all indications, Cooper Rush is a highly intelligent human being. It’s only a matter of time before he has a firm grasp of this offense. But until he does, Moore remains a valuable piece on this team.

It’s almost pointless to argue about who should be QB2 and who should be QB3 at this point because it doesn’t really matter. Both players seemingly serve a vital role on the 2017 Dallas Cowboys: Moore for his understanding and Rush for his potential. The real argument worth having is whether or not the Cowboys keep three passers on their final 53.

The Final 53-Man Roster

More from Dallas Cowboys

Because of Kellen Moore’s value in the film room, it would be in Dak Prescott’s best interest to keep him on the team this season. But without a skillset capable of adequately filling in at QB1, it would be irresponsible to leave him alone on the depth chart behind Dak.

The Dallas Cowboys need to think long and hard about going three-deep at quarterback this season. If something happens to Prescott, Cowboys Nation wouldn’t be able to stomach a Kellen Moore-led offense. And given the strong play by Rush thus far, stashing him on the practice squad isn’t a very realistic plan either.

The Cowboys may have no choice but to keep three signal callers on their final 53 and dedicate some time to actually groom *gasp*a backup QB in Dallas.

Cooper Rush probably isn’t going to ever be a QB1 at the NFL level but he has a chance at being a pretty good QB2. I’m not ready to go all-in on Cooper Rush as QB2 this season but at the very least he’s worth keeping and developing should the unthinkable happen.

Next: Cowboys: The risers and fallers of the preseason

If Cooper Rush continues to impress in the preseason, fantasies of hiding him away on the practice squad will disappear. With potential to be a better QB than Kellen Moore, the Dallas Cowboys may be wise to keep both backups in 2017.

Home/Dallas Cowboys