Aaron Rodgers weighs in on Cowboys' Dak Prescott-Tony Romo dilemma
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a guy who's been there -- the guy behind the franchise's accomplished, entrenched starter.
On Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys (4-1) visit the Packers, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, whose jersey is already in Canton for a rookie accomplishment, will once again be under center as Tony Romo continues to mend after back surgery.
Rodgers' thoughts on Prescott's early success, compared with how Rodgers had to wait three seasons behind Brett Favre before getting his shot?
"Different situation," Rodgers said, via David Moore of SportsDay. "Dak has got his opportunity right away, done a really good job, been playing really well."
Rodgers also notes that there's finances in play that may factor into Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones' decision as Romo signed a six-year, $108 million contract in 2013 with $55 million guaranteed.
"It's that you want to play and you're ready to play. Obviously he's shown that he's ready to play. He's been playing really well. But you have to understand that the team has a lot invested in the guy in front of you most of the time and you're going to get an opportunity. You've just got to be patient."
Meanwhile, Prescott (1,239 passing yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 101.5 rating) has said the right things, so to speak, telling reporters that the Cowboys are Romo's team. “This is Tony’s team,” Prescott said on Wednesday. “I knew that going into the situation. I think everybody knew that. I’m just trying to do the best I can to give my team a chance to win week in and week out.”
Romo has been throwing for the past month and may be ready to return to action in Week 8 after Dallas has a bye. A lot of Cowboys fans want the future now and for Prescott to retain the job, but Rodgers feels that Prescott may have to wait a bit longer. Rodgers said:
"He's getting his right now and making the most of it and making that decision probably a little bit harder. But he's got to have the understanding that at some point, it's going to be his team. Maybe soon, maybe in a couple of years. He's doing nothing but helping himself right now the way that he's shown those guys his leadership style and his play and his consistency. He's doing a good job."
Rodgers also offered his overall impression of the play from Prescott and fellow NFC East rookie Carson Wentz of the Eagles:
"It's impressive," Rodgers said of the rookies. "I think in general, the quarterbacks are more prepared to play now than 11 years ago when I was drafted. I think the coaching has gotten better on the college level. They're having quarterbacks do more. But I think it's a testament to the quarterbacks as well. They're stepping in and doing some good things.
"You've seen Carson (Wentz) and Dak both stepping in and playing a lot and doing well. And that's a tribute to them."
