Cooper Rush, who has been the backup quarterback for the Cowboys for most of the past eight seasons, has now signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys have not yet responded to his departure with a significant offseason move, although there are still a few veteran free agents who might enter the competition.
Dallas has brought back Will Grier from last year’s practice squad, making him the primary contender to be Dak Prescott’s backup, at least for now, as there is currently no other quarterback signed to the roster. Along with Rush’s exit, Trey Lance remains without a contract as he navigates his free agency, with rumors suggesting a possible move to the Canadian Football League in the near future, though this is still in its infancy.
Presently, it appears the Cowboys are holding off on significant additions to their quarterback depth chart until after the draft. Even if they don’t select a quarterback during the first two nights, Dallas is armed with three fifth-round picks and four additional choices in the later rounds that could be used to acquire a passer. They might even consider selecting one in the third round, depending on who is still available, leaving many possibilities open.
Nevertheless, if a new rookie joins Grier in the competition for the backup spot, the Cowboys may still want to add at least one more veteran to create a more competitive scenario. Although Grier has connections with teammates, his NFL journey has been challenging, having quickly lost his standing after being drafted by the Panthers in the third round of 2019 and not having played a regular-season snap since. It would be sensible to bring in someone with more game experience, especially given Rush’s departure.
If this approach is indeed part of the Cowboys’ offseason plan, here are a few veteran free agents who could be viable options.
Desmond Ridder
After attempting to acquire Lance, the Cowboys might consider making a play for young quarterback Desmond Ridder. Drafted by the Falcons in the third round in 2022, Ridder initially served as a backup. He was named the starting quarterback for 2023, but with limited impact, Atlanta subsequently brought in Kirk Cousins for the following season and traded Ridder to the Cardinals, where he struggled in the backup role and ended up on the practice squad before being picked up by the Raiders.
C.J. Beathard
C.J. Beathard, a seasoned NFL backup with 13 career starts, has a noteworthy connection to the Cowboys through new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who was Beathard’s offensive coordinator during his time with the Jaguars in 2021. Beathard first gained visibility during 2017-2018 when he started 10 games for the 49ers. Despite some challenges and injuries, he has shown promise in recent starts, having completed 40 out of 53 passes for 1,136 yards, with seven touchdowns and no interceptions over his last three outings. This might make him an appealing option for the Cowboys’ front office.
Jeff Driskel
The Cowboys had previously shown interest in Driskel during May 2021 but chose not to sign him as a free agent. Now that he is available again, he could receive another opportunity with Dallas. A former sixth-round pick in the same draft class as Dak Prescott, Driskel has taken on various backup roles but has had a subpar starting record of 1-10. Despite this, he has performed well in select matchups against the Cowboys, having scored touchdowns in those games.
Driskel’s mobility could be a beneficial asset; he has accumulated significant rushing stats throughout his career, offering the Cowboys another option if the passing game falters. While he might not excite many fans, his experience could complement the team’s current roster alongside other new signings.
