When Dak Prescott injured his thumb in the opening week of the 2022 season during a 19-3 loss to Tampa Bay, Cowboys fans everywhere had given up hope on the year.
But Cooper Rush stepped in and evidenced just how important and beneficial it is to have a formidable backup quarterback in the NFL.
Rush started the next five games for the Cowboys.
He led the team to four straight wins over the Bengals, Giants, Commanders, and Rams before losing to the Eagles in his final game as a starter. This stretch of games revitalized the Cowboys fan base and gave new hope to the 2022 season.
Rush is a perfect backup quarterback candidate. He plays within himself and doesn't make a lot of mistakes.
As a result, quarterback-needy teams will be interested in cool-hand Cooper Rush as he hits free agency this off-season. And those teams will offer him more money, and a possible opportunity to compete for the starting job. Neither of which the Cowboys should even consider offering.
Will Grier is still under contract with the team but it's questionable how serviceable he can be.
So, Dallas will most likely be on the hunt for a new QB2 this free agency and draft season. And the past has shown us just how important it is for the Cowboys to get the right guy for the job.
The Cowboys won't break the internet with any of these moves. However, it could be one of the most important moves of the off-season.
Let's pray it's a move we won't have to speak about next season, but let's also learn from history.
Andy Dalton
Yes, I know the Cowboys have been here before with Andy Dalton and things didn't go swimmingly. But 2020 was a tough, Covid-riddled season.
Andy Dalton is coming off a very good season in New Orleans where he played out a one-year $3 Million contract. He replaced an injured Jameis Winston early in the season and played well enough for the Saints to favor him when Winston returned.
Dalton started 14 games for the Saints and led them to a 6-8 record. He threw for 2,871 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
The Saints still have Jameis under contract for next season and just signed Derek Carr, so Dalton isn't expected to return to New Orleans.
Dalton is 35 years old and has started 162 games in the NFL. He showed he is a formidable quarterback while playing for a team that isn't close to the talent level of the Cowboys.
Dalton is reliable. He would be relatively cheap. And if Dak Prescott is to miss games this season, Dalton could still get the ball to the playmakers and keep the Cowboys alive.
Max Duggan
Jerry Jones has already confessed his love for Max Duggan. And we know what happens when Jerry gets attached to someone.
At the Senior Bowl, Jerry said that Duggan was the best quarterback there and showered him with a few other compliments. Coupled with his pledge to draft a quarterback in this year's draft, it looks like Jerry has his eyes set on the Heisman runner-up.
Duggan and the TCU Horned Frogs were the feel-good story of college football last season. But he divides people on his ability to play at the next level.
Max has qualities that teams love.
He's got a good attitude. He's tough and resilient. He's gritty and able to overcome adversity as we saw throughout the 2022 college season.
Duggan is a good runner too. And at the NFL combine he stunned scouts by running a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash — ranking second among the quarterbacks.
With his good combine showing, Duggan may have increased his draft stock.
If the Cowboys decide to go after Duggan, it would most likely be in the fourth or fifth round.
Duggan certainly has a ceiling when it comes to being an NFL quarterback. But in a worst-case scenario situation, if he's thrust into games under center, he possesses the leadership, toughness, and resolve to potentially keep the Cowboys' offense on track.
Jacoby Brissett
Much like Cooper Rush, Jacoby Brissett possesses the qualities of a good backup quarterback.
Brissett plays within himself. He's not overly flashy or an unnecessary risk-taker. In the three seasons that Jacoby has started more than 10 games, he hasn't thrown more than seven interceptions.
On the other hand, he hasn't thrown over 18 touchdowns in any of those seasons. But the Cowboys' offense could more than survive with those numbers.
Due to Deshaun Watson being suspended, Brissett started the first 11 games of the season for the Cleveland Browns leading them to a 4-7 record.
Brissett is a veteran. He has started games for four different teams in the league and has shown to be serviceable.
Jacoby could fill a void if Prescott gets hurt.
There is enough firepower on the offense (I'm assuming Dallas has added another wide receiver by the turn of the season) to get by without a top-tier quarterback at the helm.
Like Cooper Rush showed us, a quarterback who can dish the ball to the playmakers without too many mistakes is enough to get by. And Brissett could easily fit that mold.
