Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush finds himself in a familiar spot as he prepares to face the Philadelphia Eagles, stepping in for an injured Dak Prescott just as he did in 2022.
With Prescott sidelined by a hamstring injury that could require surgery and a stint on injured reserve, the situation has sparked intriguing commentary from media figure and noted Cowboys fan Skip Bayless about Jerry Jones’ potential predicament.
Bayless stirred the pot with a provocative tweet, declaring that “Cooper Rush is Jerry Jones’ worst nightmare.”
“I believe Jerry will be privately rooting against him. I also will not be at all surprised if Cooper Rush beats the Eagles, just as he beat the [Cincinnati] Bengals (who were coming off a Super Bowl) in his first start for Dak in 2022,” Bayless wrote on X.
Cooper Rush is Jerry Jones' worst nightmare. I believe Jerry will be privately rooting against him. I also will not be at all surprised if Cooper Rush beats the Eagles, just as he beat the Bengals (who were coming off a Super Bowl) in his first start for Dak in 2022.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 8, 2024
The underlying tension is clear: A strong performance by Rush could cast an unfavorable light on Jones’ decision to make Prescott the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback.
This time around, Rush takes over a struggling team with a disappointing 3-5 record, a far cry from their NFC East championship last season.
The 2024 campaign has been challenging for Dallas, which is fighting to stay relevant in the playoff conversation at the halfway mark.
The NFC East’s two-decade streak without a repeat champion appears likely to continue, and the Cowboys are experiencing their worst slump since 2020, when Prescott’s ankle injury sidelined him for 11 games.
Rush’s task is made more daunting by Dallas’s woes in the running game, as they rank second-worst in rushing offense.
However, his track record offers a glimmer of hope.
Two years ago, he won his first four starts without throwing an interception, though his streak ended with a three-interception performance in a road loss to the Eagles.
This time, he’ll face Philadelphia with home-field advantage.
NEXT: Cowboys Provide Update On Possible Surgery For Dak Prescott
