Jerry Jones would welcome Dallas Cowboys QB controversy because it would mean Cooper Rush was winning

FRISCO, Texas — Owner and general manager Jerry Jones wants Cooper Rush to make life difficult for the Dallas Cowboys.

He wants Rush, the backup quarterback, to play so well that there would be controversy as to whether Dak Prescott would assume the starting role once he is healthy enough to play after undergoing right thumb surgery last week.

«Of course I would. Of course. That means we'd have won,» Jones said. «If he comes in there and plays as well as Prescott played, Rush? Played that well over these next games ahead? I'd walk to New York to get that.»

As Jones spoke, thoughts of 2016 danced in his words. Prescott was a rookie fourth-round pick that year, filling in for an injured Tony Romo, who hurt his back in a preseason game. After losing the season opener that year, the Cowboys won a franchise-record 11 straight games and Romo never regained his starting position. Can Rush do that?

«Well, I don't know that,» Jones said. «You can't find on record where I said I thought Dak Prescott could do it when he stepped in and had the chance to do that. But he did it.»

Rush will make his second straight start on Monday against the New York Giants and just the third of his career. The Cowboys have won both of Rush's starts on final-minute drives, including winning on a 50-yard field goal to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 last week.

There is one flaw in Jones' thought process. Unlike with Romo's injury when the Cowboys knew he would miss a couple of months, Jones believes there is a chance Prescott returns Oct. 2 against the Washington Commanders.

«Well, of course we want Dak to be here next week,» Jones said. «That's the thing. You do. But Dak and I want Rush to lead the team to a victory here and get another win and get