2023 NFL quarterback analysis: Dallas Cowboys
Current starter: Dak Prescott | Current backups: Cooper Rush, Will Grier
State of the position: Prescott looked good in the wild-card round game Monday night against Tampa Bay, really good. At one point, he had 11 straight completions, the most in franchise history in the playoffs.
Prescott played so well that it was easy to forget he tied Houston's middling Davis Mills for the league lead with 15 interceptions. In his seven-year career, Prescott has thrown for 166 TDs and 24,943 yards. But he also has 65 interceptions and 52 fumbles. Factor in his 2-3 playoff record and you can see why Jerry Jones was so smitten with backup Cooper Rush during Prescott’s injury.
Rush has been with Dallas for six years. He started five games this year when Prescott injured his right thumb, winning four in a row. At one point, Jones fanned the flames for a QB controversy by suggesting that Rush could steal Prescott’s job. Cooler heads prevailed, but with Rush and Grier both free agents in 2023, Jones might need another backup.
Key stat: Against the Buccaneers in the wild-card game, Prescott became the sixth player in NFL history to pass and run for a touchdown in four straight playoff games.
2023 QB forecast: Prescott is halfway through a four-year, $160 million deal. He isn’t going anywhere, interceptions be damned. Rush may have played his way out of Dallas. He’s due a raise on his $1 million salary if he stays, but another team could sign Rush to mentor a young draft pick. With $223,002 in projected cap room in 2023, Dallas must re-sign Grier or find another cost-effective backup.
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