The Cowboys have a problem at quarterback behind Dak Prescott

We’re at the point where we need to have the conversation. The Dallas Cowboys have a problem at quarterback.

Let me be clear. The Cowboys have a problem at backup quarterback. Dak Prescott is fine although many will have you believe that that’s not the case.

While we’re on the subject, let’s bring up the Dak doubters. Many of them petitioned over the course of the offseason for second-year quarterback Cooper Rush to be given the nod over Dak. There were those that believed, and likely still do, that rookie Mike White had more potential than number four. Sunday night significantly weakened those arguments.

• Cooper Rush: 11 of 17, 93 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
• Mike White: 17 of 22, 157 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception, 2 fumbles (1 lost)

These are very not good numbers. They came in a preseason game, but they are not good.

Why are the Cowboys obsessed with youth here?

Can you name the last veteran quarterback who the Cowboys brought in from the outside was? They had Luke McCown in for a cup of coffee last year, but the last one who they hung on to for some time was Mark Sanchez. By the way, Dak has credited Mark with much of his success.

Ever since, well, the Dak Prescott era the Cowboys have gone young in terms of additions. Luke McCown is the exception but otherwise it’s been Cooper Rush and now Mike White. The former played well last preseason, well enough to earn a 53-man roster spot even, but they’ve both been extremely unimpressive through this year’s exhibition period.

Teddy Bridgewater is the hottest name on the quarterback addition market (that’s impractical for the Cowboys so don’t go there), but there are names out there. Consider someone like Matt Moore who the Cowboys have had interest in (and had on their team) before. I’m not saying Moore is unequivocally better, but when you look at what Rush and White have been you have to at least ask yourself, right?

Youth can be great, but it’s a risky bet

In a perfect world Cooper Rush would have picked up right where he left off and Mike White would have looked like the last two rookie quarterbacks for the Cowboys, Rush himself and Dak Prescott; however, that isn’t the case.

If one of Rush or White looked great the Cowboys would be in a position of power, a position like many believe the New York Jets to be with someone like Teddy Bridgewater, but the Cowboys appear to be in a position of weakness. If something were to happen to Dak Prescott there is no current reason to have legitimate faith in what’s behind him.

Dallas is not only rolling the dice by going with youth such as Rush and White, but they’re doing this and leaving them in the hands of first-year quarterbacks coach Kellen Moore. Many have heralded Moore’s abilities in the classroom and believed that they would translate to the coaching side of the game, but we haven’t seen anything so far with what he’s had a chance to work with that is particularly inspiring.

None of this is meant to be an overreaction to Sunday’s preseason game or even the entire preseason period. The reality is that neither Cooper Rush nor Mike White have looked good and they are both one hazardous play away from being the guy. That’s not ideal.