The Dallas Cowboys, struggling with a 3-7 record, are dealing with quarterback issues after Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in 2024. This marks the second consecutive season in which Prescott has faced a significant injury, as he fractured his ankle in 2020. In Prescott’s absence, the Cowboys have turned to Cooper Rush, their veteran backup quarterback, but after two heavy defeats in Weeks 10 and 11, there are still concerns about the team’s quarterback situation. Dallas is also using Trey Lance, acquired from the 49ers, in certain packages and has added veteran Will Grier as an emergency third-string quarterback.
The situation became more intriguing when the New York Giants released Daniel Jones, their starting quarterback, after benching him for Tommy DeVito. Jones, a six-year NFL veteran, was once a promising prospect and the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft. Despite the opportunity to add Jones to their roster, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy downplayed the likelihood of this move. He emphasized that the team is focused on the quarterbacks already on the roster, specifically Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.
McCarthy added that he liked Jones as a prospect when he was coming out of college, but at this stage, Dallas has committed to working with the players they currently have. The timing of Jones’ release also doesn’t align with Dallas’s immediate plans, especially given their upcoming game against the Giants on Thanksgiving Day. McCarthy reiterated that they are not in the habit of making roster moves based on an opponent’s timing.
Stephen Jones, the Cowboys’ Executive Vice President, echoed McCarthy’s stance, expressing confidence in the current quarterback situation. He stated that Cooper Rush gives the team the best chance to win at this moment. Jones also mentioned that the team remains interested in evaluating Trey Lance and what he brings to the table, signaling that the Cowboys are committed to seeing how their quarterbacks perform in the rest of the season.
Daniel Jones was drafted by the Giants in 2019 and showed flashes of potential, particularly in 2022 under coach Brian Daboll. That season, Jones had career highs in passing yards, passer rating, and led the Giants to the playoffs. His most notable achievement came in the postseason when he threw for over 300 yards and rushed for 78 yards in a win against the Minnesota Vikings. However, his career has been marred by turnovers, with 73 turnovers since entering the NFL, making him one of the most turnover-prone quarterbacks in the league.
This season, Jones has struggled mightily. The Giants started 2-8, with Jones ranking last in the NFL among quarterbacks with at least 10 starts in both touchdown passes and passer rating. Despite flashes of brilliance in 2022, his overall career has been marked by inconsistency and inefficiency. With the Giants’ decision to release him, Jones will likely face an uncertain future in the league, while the Cowboys seem content with their current quarterback situation.
