It became clear on Cutdown Day—the Dallas Cowboys had decided to go with Cooper Rush as the man behind the man (Dak Prescott). At least, that is how it seemed when the team released Garret Gilbert and Ben DiNucci.
However, fans were hoping for someone a little better considering the importance the QB2 has played in recent years. Many expected the team would consider Cam Newton after the Patriots released the former MVP.
But it appears that the Cowboys will probably not give Newton’s agent a call, because Jerry Jones has a very high opinion of Cooper Rush. During a recent appearance on a local radio show, 105.3 The Fan, Jones made it clear it would take a lot to jump Rush on the depth chart.
“You got to assume with his knowledge of what we’re doing offensively…you got to assume you got a pretty high bar here in terms of what’s the most effective way to play if you didn’t have Dak now,” Jones said. “It’s a high bar when you got the background in it that Cooper’s got. So, we’ll see how that goes….”
Jones added, “The big thing is (that) the team feels good when he’s in the huddle. All of that is alive and well with Cooper.”
Rush has been with the team except for a short stint with the New York Giants since he was an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan in 2017. With the time he has spent on the roster, he should be quite familiar with the offensive personnel and scheme.
But after seeing seasons lost when Tony Romo and Dak Prescott went down with injuries, fans would have loved to see the team acquire a veteran backup. While they did acquire someone, he does not have much experience.
The Cowboys claimed former Carolina Panthers quarterback Will Grier off the waiver wire Wednesday.
Since getting drafted by the Panthers in the third round in 2019, Grier has started two games (both losses). In those games, he completed just 28 of 52 passes for 228 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions.
But he has played for quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier when Nussmeier was the offensive coordinator for Florida back in 2015. So, maybe the Cowboys think Grier could be a good project quarterback? Perhaps his familiarity with Nussmeier will help get him up to speed quicker?
There is no telling just what the Cowboys were thinking. After all, despite how poorly he played last season in his one start, not to mention his dreadful play during the preseason, Dallas has signed Ben DiNucci to the practice squad.
This does not mean the Cowboys will not consider Cam Newton or do something to acquire a veteran backup. But it looks like Jerry Jones has every intention of standing pat with the quarterbacks the team currently has.
