The Dallas Cowboys are plunging the depths for a quarterback, but who should they start on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Just a few weeks ago, the Week 9 game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers looked really interesting. Then Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott got hurt, then so did his replacement Andy Dalton. Now, the 2-6 Cowboys look overmatched heading into Sunday’s game against the 7-0 Steelers.
Last week, the Cowboys were down to seventh-round rookie Ben DiNucci making his first NFL start. His dismal showing was expected (21-for-40, 180 yards, two lost fumbles), and now he’s not in the mix to start against the Steelers.
Dalton seemed to have a chance to come back from his concussion this week. Then that went completely away when he was placed on the COVID-19 list.
Garrett Gilbert was signed off the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad on Oct. 12, while Cooper Rush was signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad last week. The two have combined for zero NFL starts, with nine combined regular season pass attempts (six for Gilbert, three for Rush). Head coach Mike McCarthy has tried to cite experience with the idea of Gilbert and Rush competing to start this week. But as a practical matter DiNucci has more meaningful game experience than the two combined–one start and 43 pass attempts.
Who should the Cowboys start vs. the Steelers?
Gilbert was a “star” in the AAF back in 2019, leading the league in passing yards and passer rating as the signal caller for the Orlando Apollos when the league suspended operations.
The Cowboys signed Rush as an undrafted free agent out Central Michigan in 2017, and he was with them up until being waved this past May. So they are more familiar with him than they are with Gilbert, and he is familiar with Kellen Moore‘s offense for whatever it’s worth.
The Steelers have a stout defense, with generating pressure and taking quarterbacks down for sacks a particular strength. Stranger things have happened, but who the Cowboys go with under center is not likely to matter much to the Steelers or to Sunday’s outcome. It’s possible Rush and Gilbert both see action, but the starting nod should probably go to Rush.