Dallas, September 17, 2025
News Summary
Brian Schottenheimer, as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, has opted not to name an emergency quarterback for the initial two matches of the season. Despite the reintroduction of the emergency quarterback rule in 2023, allowing teams to have an additional quarterback available on game day, the Cowboys chose to forgo this option. This decision raises questions about roster strategy and the balance between quarterback depth and other positional needs as teams navigate limited game-day roster spots.
Dallas
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer declines to designate an emergency quarterback for first two games
Brian Schottenheimer, in his first two games as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, chose not to designate an emergency quarterback for either matchup to start the season. The decision comes despite an NFL rule, reintroduced in 2023, that allows teams to list an emergency third quarterback on game day, effectively creating a free roster spot for other positions.
Key facts and immediate implications
The Cowboys did not use the emergency quarterback provision in the first two games, and their practice squad currently includes Will Grier, who filled the roster role previously occupied by Trey Lance when Lance was kept available weekly as a third quarterback last season. Grier was unavailable during a recent game because practice squad players are not automatically active for game day unless elevated under other rules. Schottenheimer acknowledged the potential advantages of having a designated third quarterback but indicated that roster strategy and allocation of limited game-day spots are factors that determine whether the team uses the provision; he also said the team has contingency plans for an inactive third QB but did not disclose specifics.
How common the emergency QB is and who is using it
Since the emergency quarterback rule returned in 2023, fewer than half of NFL teams have taken advantage of the provision in the first two years of its reintroduction. The Cleveland Browns are among the teams that are using the rule this season, rostered with four quarterbacks and listing Shedeur Sanders as the emergency third quarterback for the first two games. The special “3QB” designation has been used in a regular-season or playoff game only once since the rule’s return, when a team activated a designated third quarterback during a game last season.
Roster mechanics and constraints
NFL game-day rosters are typically limited to 48 players, which makes carrying a third quarterback on the active roster a difficult choice for many clubs. Around this time last season, just over half of NFL teams had a third quarterback on their active roster; league-wide numbers have remained roughly similar this year. Teams that opt not to carry a third QB often prioritize other positions, using the roster spot for depth at skill positions or on special teams. The Detroit Lions were initially the only team reported without a third quarterback at the start of the season, later adding C.J. Beathard to their practice squad for additional depth.
Quarterback development and practice squad realities
Quarterback development in the NFL is constrained by limited practice reps for players behind the starter and the backup. Practice squad quarterbacks face restricted opportunities to develop within team practice structure, and their growth often depends on individual initiative and extra work outside regular reps. Teams attempt to mitigate this by assigning practice squad QBs to mirror the starter’s throws during practice and by having coaches provide targeted instruction, but practice-time limitations remain a consistent challenge.
Historical background and rule evolution
The NFL originally had an emergency quarterback provision from 1991 through 2010 and reinstated a similar rule in 2023 after a high-profile playoff game highlighted the competitive risks of not having additional prepared quarterbacks. The rule’s return was prompted by a postseason occasion in which injuries significantly impacted a team’s ability to play at full effectiveness. League offices previously explored mechanisms to ease activation restrictions for third quarterbacks on practice squads, but a proposed change was not accepted by the players’ union, leaving existing roster and elevation rules in place.
Notable examples and single-game usage
Although teams have the option to use the emergency quarterback designation, actual in-game use has been rare since the rule’s return. The only recorded activation of the “3QB” designation in a game occurred last season when a team inserted its designated emergency quarterback into a contest. This scarcity of in-game activations underscores why many franchises question the trade-off between carrying a third QB and preserving roster spots for other needs.
What this means for the Cowboys and league trends
The Cowboys’ choice to forego naming an emergency quarterback for the first two games is consistent with a broader trend in which teams balance the benefits of a dedicated third QB against the restrictions of a 48-player game-day roster. With Will Grier on the practice squad in the slot Trey Lance previously occupied, the Cowboys are relying on internal contingency plans and practice squad depth rather than using the formal emergency designation. League-wide, teams continue to vary in approach: some value the strategic flexibility of a third quarterback, while others prioritize active-roster depth at other positions.
Bottom line
The emergency quarterback rule provides teams an additional option for depth and roster management, but its practical adoption remains uneven across the NFL. The Cowboys’ decision under Schottenheimer to avoid the designation in the first two games reflects roster priorities and strategic calculations shared by many teams facing the trade-offs of limited game-day spots.
FAQ
Q: What did Brian Schottenheimer decide regarding an emergency quarterback?
A: Brian Schottenheimer did not designate an emergency quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in either of his first two games as head coach.
Q: What is the NFL emergency quarterback rule?
A: The rule, reinstated in 2023, allows teams to designate an emergency third quarterback on game day, effectively providing a free roster spot to be used for other positions while keeping a third QB available in an emergency.
Q: How many teams have used the emergency QB provision since it returned?
A: Less than half of NFL teams used the provision in the first two years after its return; usage varies by team and roster strategy.
Q: Are any teams actively using the emergency QB this season?
A: Yes. The Cleveland Browns are an example, carrying four quarterbacks and using Shedeur Sanders as the emergency third quarterback for the first two games.
Q: Why don’t more teams carry a third quarterback on game day?
A: Game-day rosters are limited to 48 players, leading teams to prioritize depth at other positions. Carrying a third quarterback means sacrificing a spot that could be used for receivers, defensive backs, or special teams players.
Q: How does this affect quarterback development?
A: Backup and practice squad quarterbacks receive limited practice reps behind starters. Development often relies on extra individual work, mirrored practice assignments, and coaching support, but opportunities are constrained compared with starters.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Dallas Cowboys | Cleveland Browns | League-wide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency QB designated in first two games | No | Yes | Less than half of teams used it in first two years |
| Third QB location | Practice squad (Will Grier) | Active roster (four QBs) | Mixed (active roster or practice squad) |
| In-game activation since rule return | No | Yes (used once league-wide) | Only once so far |
| Game-day roster limit | 48 players (standard constraint affecting decisions) | ||
| Rule history | Originally 1991–2010; reinstated in 2023 after playoff injuries highlighted need | ||
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WTOP: NFL Teams Don’t Use Game Day Roster Flexibility with Emergency QBs
- Item Online: NFL Teams Don’t Use Game Day Roster Flexibility with Emergency QBs
- BDT Online: NFL Teams Don’t Use Game Day Roster Flexibility with Emergency QBs
- Wikipedia: National Football League
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Football League
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
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