The Dallas Cowboys are a never-ending source of drama and discussion, a bottomless pit of content that keeps sports media and fans talking year-round. Their tumultuous descent to a 3-5 record has entertained a large portion of the nation that loves to watch America’s Team struggle more than succeed. With starting quarterback Dak Prescott now facing what could be a significant injury, many wondered if the Cowboys’ media presence would take a backseat as backup quarterback Cooper Rush took over the reins.
However, instead of slipping into irrelevancy, the Cowboys once again became the focus of heated debates—especially when two prominent ESPN analysts, Dan Orlovsky and Adam Schefter, faced off during an episode of “Get Up.”
In a segment that begins at the nine-minute mark, host Mike Greenberg asked the panel whether the Cowboys should start Trey Lance instead of Cooper Rush in Prescott’s absence. What followed was an animated discussion, with Orlovsky and Schefter presenting differing opinions on the subject.
Dan Orlovsky kicked off the debate with a clear stance: “If you’re the Dallas Cowboys, there is zero reason to not play Trey Lance,” Orlovsky said emphatically. He argued that the team traded for Lance, giving up a fourth-round pick to acquire him, and now was the perfect opportunity to see if that investment was worthwhile. Orlovsky added that Lance, being younger, was more likely to be a potential long-term solution as a backup in Dallas or could play well enough to become an attractive trade asset for the team in the future.
Adam Schefter, however, had reservations. He pushed back with follow-up questions, challenging Orlovsky’s reasoning. Schefter wasn’t convinced that Lance was the best choice, emphasizing the importance of stability during this challenging period for the Cowboys.
The debate truly heated up when Orlovsky presented a hypothetical scenario where Rush led the Cowboys to win two or three games, improving his career record to 7-1. Orlovsky argued that such success could spark discussions about whether Rush should permanently replace Prescott, who is currently the highest-paid player in the league.
Schefter dismissed the notion, saying, “Dallas would love to have that problem. There are so many hypotheticals here. No way.” His tone suggested that he viewed Orlovsky’s scenario as far-fetched, pointing out that football is filled with uncertainties and that making decisions based on a hypothetical winning streak was not a prudent approach.
RELATED: Super Bowl Champion Issues Apology for ‘Insensitive’ Comment About Dak Prescott
The back-and-forth between Orlovsky and Schefter highlighted the complexity and unpredictability of the NFL. As the two ESPN personalities argued, they dissected not only the quarterback situation but also the broader implications for the franchise.
The debate illustrated how sports media often gets caught up in hypotheticals, analyzing and predicting scenarios that may never happen—but which still capture the imaginations of fans and analysts alike.
The discussion then shifted to the potential ramifications if Cooper Rush were to lead the Cowboys to a string of victories and put the team back into playoff contention with a 7-5 record. Would there be a genuine argument for keeping Rush as the starting quarterback over Prescott?
Orlovsky believed that the debate would definitely reach the highest levels of the sports industry and wouldn’t be dismissed as an outlandish idea. If Rush ended up 4-0 in this stretch and was winning 90 percent of his games as a starter, people would seriously advocate for him to keep the starting job—and they might even have a legitimate point, at least from a performance perspective.
Schefter, however, remained skeptical. He emphasized that Prescott is the franchise quarterback for a reason, and while Rush might fill in admirably, it would be a stretch to think that a few wins would be enough to permanently supplant Prescott, considering his status and the financial investment the team has made in him.
Ultimately, the spirited debate between Orlovsky and Schefter showcased what makes the Cowboys such a fascinating team to cover. Even in the midst of struggles and uncertainty, they continue to be the center of attention, fueling heated arguments on shows like “Get Up.” It’s this unpredictability—the constant “what ifs”—that keeps analysts and fans engaged, eagerly discussing every possibility, no matter how hypothetical.
The next few weeks will be critical for the Cowboys, with Prescott sidelined and Rush stepping in under center. Whether Rush rises to the occasion or not, one thing is certain: every snap will be dissected, analyzed, and debated by sports media.
And if Rush does somehow lead the Cowboys back into playoff contention, it’s safe to say that the debate over who should start at quarterback won’t just be limited to the locker room—it will become one of the hottest topics across all sports shows, with analysts like Orlovsky and Schefter ready to weigh in once again.
