The Cowboys have never been shy about inviting controversy into their locker room. Least of all at QB. Even the Hall of Fame QB, Troy Aikman, struggled to win over the Dallas fan base at the beginning of his career. After Dak signed a massive extension last year, most fans thought his job was secure, but despite Prescott making over 40 million dollars this season, Jerry Jones proclaimed that there is a chance Cooper Rush may win the starting job. Jerry went so far that he even said he ‘welcomed’ the QB controversy if Rush continues to play well.
Zeke Elliot responded to Jerry’s claims. Initially, Elliot blamed the new QB narrative as media gossip before a reporter kindly reminded him that Mr. Jones created this QB controversy.
Despite Zeke suggesting the possibility of benching Dak is Jerry’s way of fishing for clicks and views, Cowboy fans should know by now that there is a real possibility that Cooper Rush can replace Dak at QB.
Mike McCarthy dismissed this idea on Friday. After receiving an earful from the media about Jerry’s questionable statement (something he should be used to now in his third year as Dallas head coach).
Mike tried his best to project confidence in Dak’s abilities or as confident as Mike could look while facing the media firing squad (not very confident). It’s hard to believe Mike because we all know the QB decision is not up to him, but rather the man who started this entire controversy.
The strategy Dallas has decided to implement with Rush at QB1 may be more conducive to winning for this roster. It is a run-centric offense that leans on a veteran backfield, focusing on ball control and winning the turnover battle. Through the first two weeks of play, it appears that if this Cowboy team wins anything significant this year, it will mostly be due to Parsons and the Cowboy’s D.
Dallas does not have the firepower on the outside it had last year with Cooper and Cedrick Wilson (though that may change with Gallup returning soon). Despite the Cowboys having the no. 1 offense last season, the defense is now their best 11-man unit.
Anyone familiar with NFL history knows there is precedence for a backup QB winning the starting job after an injury to the starter. Kurt Warner, Drew Bledsoe, and Tony Romo (who lost his position to Dak) are all examples of QBs being replaced mid-season after an injury. It has happened before and will happen again.
Jerry’s distracting comments are still concerning for Cowboys fans because why is Jerry Jones telling the media this information? Is it for clicks, like Zeke suggested, perhaps something more strategic to confuse future opponents, or is he a dumb old man who craves attention? The decision is ultimately up to Cooper Rush and how well he plays the next 3-4 weeks. If Cooper Rush continues to play turnover-free football, move the ball up and down the field, and most importantly, win games. Cooper Rush will be the starter. Book it.
More must-reads: