5 Cowboys Fighting For Their Jobs After Free Agency

We're two weeks into NFL free agency and the Dallas Cowboys continue to sit on their hands. Veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks remains as the franchise's only outside signing, leaving the fanbase to wonder if Jerry Jones is already content with the hand he's been dealt.

But even if Jones is a believer in the current roster and is waiting for the NFL Draft to add more help, not everyone's job is safe. Several Cowboys are on thin ice after underperforming last season while others could find themselves in a battle to keep their roster spot against other players at their position once training camp opens.

With that in mind, here are five Cowboys who are still fighting for their jobs.

1. QB Cooper Rush

It's hard to remember a time when Cooper Rush wasn't the Cowboys' backup quarterback. The 30-year-old gunslinger has been on Dallas' roster ever since he joined the franchise as an undrafted free agent in 2017 outside of a brief stint with the New York Giants in 2020.

Although Dak Prescott has handled most of the QB duties during his time in Big D, Rush has also seen a bit of action, starting in six of his 26 appearances. The ex-Central Michigan product led the Cowboys to a 5-1 record in his showings, completing 60.6% of passes for 1,619 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions.

So, why would Rush's job be in jeopardy if he's one of the better backup QBs in the NFL? Two words: Trey Lance.

The Cowboys acquired Lance from the 49ers last August, sending a fourth-round pick back to San Francisco in return. Although the former 2021 third-overall pick spent the year as Dallas' third-string option, the Cowboys clearly see something in him otherwise they wouldn't have exercised his $4.25 million roster bonus to keep him around for 2024.

That's a lot of money to pay to a third-stringer, so I wouldn't be surprised if Mike McCarthy's staff is hoping that Lance challenges Rush for the QB2 role this summer. If the 23-year-old does show signs that his potential is still there, Rush might stick around much longer.