Should Cooper Rush continue to start when Dak Prescott is ready to play?

What a game for Cooper Rush and the Dallas Cowboys. Strolling into a hostile environment like MetLife Stadium is never easy, regardless of what the ‘Boys’ record against the Giants over the past several years suggests.

For a backup quarterback, you would think there was a good chance he could be rattled by the roaring Giants fans. However, Rush remained poised in a tough road game, reminiscent of the Vikings game he helped this team win last season. This is not normal for a backup quarterback in the NFL.

In relief of Dak Prescott this season, Rush has led the team to 2-1, 2-0 in games he’s started, and thrown for 514 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 62.7 completion percentage. He has managed to command an offense that did enough to take down a Super Bowl runner-up and a Giants team that was off to a 2-0 start.

Another crazy stat for Rush, he is the first undrafted quarterback to win his first three starts while also throwing for at least 750 passing yards since Kurt Warner.

So, is the Central Michigan product the next great UDFA quarterback? I suppose only time will tell. But for now, we may have a quarterback controversy on our hands.

Should Cooper Rush remain the Cowboys starter after Dak Prescott returns from injury?

To start, Rush deserves his props. He’s done a fantastic job of leading this team to a winning record while Prescott is nursing his injury. He’s shown he’s taken steps as a passer to where he won’t make many mistakes, yet still be bold and take some shots downfield. However, the QB1 job is not for the taking.

Some want to liken this situation to the Tony Romo-Dak Prescott dilemma in 2016, but this is nowhere near like that. Romo was struggling with injuries for years and Prescott was still only a rookie. Rush is 28 years old and essentially in his prime already — even with his fine play now, he’s nothing that Prescott has been for the past several years.

For one, Jerry Jones would never allow a QB making just over a million dollars this year to start over his $160 million man. Another reason is that Prescott has the locker room. This is not saying Rush doesn’t have the approval of his teammates, but more so that everyone knows Dak is the guy.

Dak Prescott is the face of the franchise. Cooper Rush will not change that, no matter how well he plays. The coaches, front office, and players all have Prescott’s back, and Rush knows his role on the team, and it seems he embraces it. There is no bad blood between the two quarterbacks either, so this narrative is dead.

So to answer the question that’s been circulating the NFL… No. Rush will not start over Prescott, even when he’s healthy. Should he continue to start? With how he’s playing, I would feel comfortable allowing Dak to ensure he’s absolutely 100% before putting him back in, which is what they should do regardless so as not to avoid further injury.

With the Washington Commanders on deck, there apparently is a chance Prescott returns. If it was up to me, I would hold off one more week, unless the team struggles to get the offense going. Essentially, make Prescott active, but in a backup role just for that week. This is Dak’s team. Barring any setbacks in his rehab, expect the star quarterback to retake his spot as the signal-caller for America’s Team as soon as he can.

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