Dak Prescott is winning hearts in Dallas but minds are still giving Tony Romo a shot

More than three weeks ago, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones needed to rethink the Tony Romo Must Start mandate, since making an arbitrary change in the face of significant winning momentum would be foolish. That sentiment shouldn’t change much, particularly after two more meaningful wins later – a road victory over the Green Bay Packers and Sunday night’s thriller against the Philadelphia Eagles.

It’s still hard to see why anyone would tinker with the substantial chemistry that has blossomed with Dak Prescott leading the Dallas Cowboys.

Dak Prescott hasn’t lost as a starter since Week 1 for the Cowboys. (Getty Images)

As with Tom Brady versus Drew Bledsoe in 2001, my gut says ride out Prescott’s streak as long as possible. And if that means the end of Romo’s career in Dallas, so be it. But my brain? Well, I got a call about Romo from someone I greatly respect in the Cowboys organization last week. And during the conversation, it was hard for me to argue against the central point about Romo: That if Dallas was heading toward a decision on Romo’s long-term future with the team this offseason (and I believe the Cowboys are) it’s in the best interests of the Cowboys to see what he looks like inside this version of the offense.

That Dallas might actually consider parting ways with Romo is no small thing. Three things will make that a serious consideration this offseason: Prescott’s development as the starting quarterback; the ability to spread Romo’s salary cap hit over two seasons via a post-June 1 cut; and the respect the coaching staff and ownership has for the remainder of Romo’s NFL career. If Prescott’s reign starts now, Romo can still go elsewhere and play a few more quality years, similar to Peyton Manning’s departure from the Indianapolis Colts prior to Andrew Luck’s arrival.

But getting to that point – actually deciding to let Romo go – is far easier to do if the Cowboys feel like they’ve taken one last look. After my conversation with a Cowboys source last week, I don’t think the Dallas brain trust feels they’ve had that look, yet. There’s a very good chance Romo ends up starting on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 13.

Could the Cowboys’ offense be better with Tony Romo? (Getty Images)

Could that timeline have changed after the dramatic victory over the Eagles? Certainly. Nothing gets the neurons in Jerry Jones’ gray matter firing more than wins over hated division rivals, particularly those of the breathless variety. Just seeing the emotion of Jones Sunday night was striking. First jumping for joy in his owner’s box and hugging son and team CEO Stephen Jones, and then emerging in the bowels of AT&T Stadium in full-throated celebration.

“Holy smokes!” Jones yelled as he followed his team to the locker room following Prescott’s game-winning overtime touchdown pass. “How ’bout that one, boys?!”

With Jones, that kind of display shouldn’t be taken lightly. He operates on emotion and loyalty. And Prescott is stoking the flames of both right now in all corners of the franchise.

But Jones isn’t the only voice in the room anymore. He’s still the most important one, but when the adrenaline dies down, he’s more capable of being influenced than ever before. That’s how the remaining days (or continuing days) of Romo will be determined. Coach Jason Garrett’s stance will matter. The vantage point of Stephen Jones will matter. And the thought process of director of player personnel Will McClay will matter.

And while my gut says they’ll ride Prescott, my brain says they’re not done with Romo. My brain says they still want to see him at least one time behind that offensive line, with Ezekiel Elliott behind him, Dez Bryant on the outside, Cole Beasley in the slot, all weapons accounted for.

Not because they don’t believe in Prescott but because they don’t believe in making a decision on Romo’s future without seeing him on the field one more time. All four of those men have a nagging suspicion that Romo might still have the ability to take this offense to another level. And I also believe all four think Romo is the best option to win in January, though that feeling may have lessened after seeing Prescott bounce back in overtime against the Eagles’ nonstop pressure on Sunday night.

Of course, there is a financial component to all of this that will factor. The Cowboys have to be conscious of their salary cap, although it’s arguably never as bad as it looks in Dallas. In reality, the Cowboys capologists have a roadmap that could provide any needed cap savings necessary over the 2017 and 2018 seasons. It would take some financial gymnastics, but the opportunity is there. Cutting Romo post June 1 would also allow the team to spread his dead money over two years, too – with $10.7 million falling into 2017 and $8.9 million into 2018. The team also may be resolved to losing some of its free agents that it believes might get surprising contracts elsewhere, namely cornerback Morris Claiborne, wide receiver Terrance Williams and offensive guard Ronald Leary.

This still boils down to the next 10 weeks vs. the next 10 years. Prescott has gone a long way toward making the Dallas brain trust feel like the next decade at quarterback may have been secured. And that decade of Dak may have already started. But Romo is still sitting there behind him. And the decision makers are still wondering what this offense would look like with him at the helm.

That may be enough to put Romo back into the driver’s seat. Maybe for only a few more months but certainly enough to know whether it’s time to move on this offseason.