Report: Cowboys sticking with Prescott barring 'prolonged slump'

The Dallas Cowboys aren't about to make a rash decision at the most important position on the field.

Some recent struggles from Dak Prescott have ignited talk of a possible quarterback controversy, but it would take a "prolonged slump" from the standout rookie for Dallas to consider a change, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports, citing multiple team sources.

In a league where teams only play 16 regular-season games, "prolonged" is a relative term. Even a pair of losses down the stretch can be enough to send the best of teams and their respective fan bases into full panic mode.

According to Rappoport's report, though, starting Tony Romo would only "maybe" become an option in the event Prescott struggles over the course of a four-week span.

In all fairness, the Cowboys are probably correct to approach the situation with this mindset as an initial reaction to last Sunday's loss. Prescott has exceeded any and all expectations now 13 starts into his pro career, and he's certainly deserving of the opportunity to work his way through the kind of issues all rookies face.

But with the playoffs fast approaching, needing a full month of underwhelming play before turning back to a four-time Pro Bowler may not be the most realistic of scenarios.

Romo is now well over a year removed from his last NFL action. If called upon to lead the way in the playoffs, his chances of providing an upgrade would presumably depend on him getting some substantial in-game reps beforehand.

Precott could silence any such concerns with a bounce-back performance in Sunday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and his body of work to this point suggests that such a result is entirely possible.

Any other result would truly put this debate in flight, though, and the Cowboys would almost certainly have to ponder giving Romo a chance at that point.

The Cowboys' ever-apparent potential to chase down another Super Bowl title will depend largely on how this situation plays out in the coming weeks.