Mike McCarthy’s most famous quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, recently weighed in on the situation in Dallas, offering praise for McCarthy amid the ongoing struggles of the Cowboys. Rodgers, who worked closely with McCarthy for years in Green Bay, expressed confidence in McCarthy’s ability to handle adversity. Despite some controversy surrounding their split and rumors that Rodgers had a hand in McCarthy’s ousting, Rodgers’ comments suggest that any past tensions are now behind them. He noted that McCarthy is more than equipped to manage the challenges currently facing the Cowboys.
As the Cowboys prepare for a crucial game against the Philadelphia Eagles, backup quarterback Cooper Rush’s role is under scrutiny. Rush has had a rough season, and his poor performance in the blowout loss to the Eagles, where he threw for only 45 yards, has raised doubts about his ability to step in for Dak Prescott. Trey Lance also saw playing time in the blowout defeat, and it remains unclear how much longer Rush will retain the starting spot. With the Cowboys’ playoff hopes slipping away, the calls for Lance to take over could become louder as the season progresses.
The Cowboys’ season has been a disaster so far, with the team sitting at 3-6 following a humiliating 34-6 defeat at home to the Eagles. The team has been plagued by inconsistent play, particularly at quarterback with Prescott sidelined indefinitely due to injury. As the Cowboys continue to spiral, many are questioning whether a coaching change is needed to fix the team’s issues. With a disappointing record and a fractured locker room, Dallas may be looking at a major overhaul in the near future.
One bold suggestion for the Cowboys’ future comes from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who proposed an ambitious plan for the franchise. On First Take, Smith argued that Dallas should “tank” the rest of the season in order to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. With that pick, he suggested the Cowboys select Shedeur Sanders, the standout quarterback from Jackson State, and bring in his father, Deion Sanders, as the team’s new head coach. Smith believes this move could help rejuvenate the Cowboys and provide a fresh direction for the team.
The idea of Dallas tanking for Sanders is not entirely out of reach, especially given their 3-6 record and the uncertain status of Prescott. With Rush and Lance both underperforming, the Cowboys may naturally slide into a position where tanking becomes an easier choice. Adding Deion Sanders as head coach would be a major shakeup, though it remains unclear whether Sanders would leave his successful college coaching career for the NFL. However, Smith’s suggestion could give the Cowboys a much-needed cultural reset and a new sense of purpose.
During the First Take segment, host Shae Peppler Cornette teased Smith about his longstanding disdain for the Cowboys, asking whether he would be willing to support the team if they followed through with his plan. Smith, known for his jokes about the Cowboys, responded humorously, saying that he could indeed stomach supporting the team if they pursued the Sanders duo. While it would be a major shift for Smith to drop his critical stance on the Cowboys, his suggestion could offer Dallas a radical path forward in their rebuilding efforts.
