The Dallas Cowboys’ dilemma: Cooper Rush or Dak Prescott?
Cooper Rush remains undefeated as the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback and complicates the decision about who should start when Dak Prescott returns.
When the Cowboys’ season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was over, the outlook couldn’t have been more grim for Dallas. Quarterback Dak Prescott had to exit the game with a broken right thumb, and AT&T Stadium was also witness to a painful 19-3 loss to Tom Brady and company.
No one ever imagined that a new hero was about to emerge. Cooper Rush, who had only played one game with the Cowboys (a victory against the Minnesota Vikings in 2021), took control of the Lone Star team to face Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams.
All ended in wins for Mike McCarthy, a situation that keeps Rush undefeated in his first five starts in the NFL, and that has caused a dilemma to emerge. Should he stay on as the starter when Dak Prescott is ready to come back?
Who should start?
Dallas owes much of its great start to the season to an impressive defense led by Demarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, as they have not allowed more than 19 points in games played. However, neither have they scored more than 25 points.
The Cowboys are the 27th-ranked offense in the league under the backup QB, while last year, Dallas was number two in the league in that same department: leaders in passing yards, fourth in rating in passing and second in completion percentage.
However, what Rush has done very well in contrast to Dak is taking care of the ball. Prescott had 10 interceptions and six turnovers during the 2021 season, while the 28-year-old has yet to make an error in the games he has played.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones knows what Rush has done, but he also knows what Dak can give him. “He’s going to get better this week,” Jones said. “I have no idea if he will play against Philadelphia or not, but he will improve,” he said.