Dak Prescott has been crowned the Dallas Cowboys Long-Term QB1. However, the team is still looking for a backup. Cooper Rush, Will Grier, and Ben DiNucci are all competing for a roster spot in Cowboys training camp.
The Cowboys will not be able have four quarterbacks on their active roster. It remains to be seen, however, if Dallas will retain three signal-callers. Ex-Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus, and Bobby Belt, a team insider, made their predictions about the final 53 man roster heading into training camp. Belt predicts that Grier won’t make it to the final roster and believes the Cowboys will keep Prescott and DiNucci as their quarterbacks.
Belt said that he started with the quarterbacks and believes the Cowboys should only keep Cooper Rush and Dak Prescott. Belt spoke to the “Love of the Star” podcast on July 26. They did have Will Grier in the mix at times last year. They had three at once.
“But I think there’s just going to be a couple areas [positions where cuts need to be made], especially assuming you’re going to have to hold on to Michael Gallup for a few weeks without him being on PUP. You’re just going to have to make a sacrifice somewhere, and that’s probably quarterback. Just my own opinion.”
Belt’s prediction was made before the start of training camp. A strong preseason from Grier could lead to a difficult decision in Dallas. If they don’t claim them, the Cowboys may release Grier or DiNucci and re-sign one quarterback to the practice team.
“I think around the league that the teams appreciated having the flexibility to be able to do that [keep veterans on the practice squad during COVID],” Broaddus responded. “Ben DiNucci, Will Grier, one of those guys is going to end up on your practice squad, likely as your third guy.”
All indications so far are that Grier is doing all he can to pressure the Cowboys regarding his future. Dallas 97.1 Eagle’s Jeff Cavanaugh pointed out that Grier had a solid camp. WFAA’s Mike Leslie explained why Rush entered training camp with the upper hand and said that Grier is trying to take over the backup spot.
Leslie tweeted July 29: “Cooper Rush’s win in spot duty for the Cowboys last year is an enormous feather in his cap and makes it hard to unseat him as the Cowboys backup quarterback.” “But Will Grier’s early successes make him a fascinating guy to watch.”
Pro Football Focus predicted that Grier would be selected during his last collegiate season at West Virginia. The Panthers selected Grier in the third round, with the No. 100 overall pick.
After Grier was released by the Panthers, Grier was successfully claimed by the Cowboys. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had Grier selected as No. 5th-ranked quarterback prospect believed that the signal-caller had all the tools necessary to challenge for a job.
“Overall, Grier struggles to identify/feel pressures and his inconsistent decision-making is a concern, but he is a natural rhythm passer and once he finds that rhythm, he can be deadly, projecting as a backup NFL quarterback worthy of competing for a starting job,” Brugler wrote in his 2019 pre-draft guide.
After leading the Cowboys in victory on October 31, last year, when Prescott was out with a calf injury, Rush has plenty of momentum to become the team’s quarterback. It will be interesting to see if Grier’s performance during training camp is enough to take Prescott’s place.