The Dallas Cowboys made more history on Monday night, as they have now trailed by at least 20 points in six straight home games. While they were competitive for two-plus quarters against the Houston Texans, the game got out of control in the fourth quarter and they lost 34-10.
While Cooper Rush's box score numbers look nice, it was another rough outing for the veteran backup. He completed less than 60% of his passes, attempted just 6.5 yards per pass and was lucky to only throw one interception. He also had a sack-fumble that Houston returned for a touchdown to put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter.
We understand why Rush was given another start after his dreadful outing in Week 10, but it is painfully obvious that Trey Lance should take over. Well, painfully obvious to everyone but the man in charge of the franchise.
Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday morning that he plans on sticking with Rush this week against the Washington Commanders.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones still refuses to start Trey Lance
Jerry Jones on @rjchoppy and @BobbyBeltTX on starting Cooper Rush vs. Trey Lance on Sunday vs. Washington: "I would look for us to stay with experience"
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) November 19, 2024
Listen: https://t.co/GpHxpsZxrO
Watch: https://t.co/6IV9m1bxEz pic.twitter.com/AaAuf1pL0C
Jones' reason for sticking with Rush is completely delusional. He told reporters after the loss that Rush gives the Cowboys the best chance to win games.
We all saw the ESPN pan to a dejected Jones multiple times in the owner's suite. He watched Dallas get steamrolled by its in-state rival, just as he watched Rush stink up the joint against the Eagles to the tune of 45 passing yards and six points on the scoreboard.
There is no reason to continue the Rush charade. Jones is now seven games away from getting absolutely zero return on his Trey Lance investment. It can't be overstated that Rush is 32 years old and a free agent after the season. This is likely his last hoorah in Dallas.
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While Lance is also a free agent, he can at least have a future with the organization. A seven-game sample size is more than enough to learn if Lance can be an adequate backup. Every game the Cowboys start Rush, they lose valuable time to evaluate their fourth-round investment.
What is so baffling about Jones' reluctance to start Lance is that he normally refuses to accept defeat on failed transactions. In most circumstances, Jones would be unwilling to pull the plug on Lance. Now, he's refusing to call his number.
We don't buy the idea that Lance is so bad that Dallas can't justify starting him. Rush threw for 354 yards Monday night, but he misfired on close to 10 throws. Every pass downfield felt equivalent to a Hail Mary. The Texans dropped at least three interceptions.
While Rush may give the Cowboys a better chance to win relative to Lance, that isn't saying much. They have nothing to lose by handing the keys to the No. 3 overall pick, but Jones doesn't see it that way.