1. Benching Prescott could ruin the team's chemistry.
Dak Prescott at offense has proven to be a winning formula even with the barrage of injuries and suspensions the Cowboys have faced this year. Prescott does not seem to have the same reliance on Dez Bryant that Tony Romo has. This is helpful because Bryant has been injured and this year the offense has done a much better job of the receivers around him stepping up. It is possible that if injuries continue to rattle Romo and Bryant then the offense would struggle more than if they would have stuck with Prescott and the remaining receiving core.
2. He does not turn the ball over.
Turnovers are debatably the worst part of Romo's game. Romo averages approximately 1 interception every 37 pass attempts which is a little less than one per game. In a standard 16 game schedule this would equate out to about 12 or 13 interceptions. We are 5 games and 155 pass attempts into Prescott's career and we have yet to witness him throw an interception. Dallas' defence is not the best but they have held their own for the most part this season in large part because the offense has not put them in any tight situations. The defense has been able to play bend but do not break which is what they do best. Turnovers are often the difference in close games and often the team with the best turnover ratio wins. So far, Prescott has been vastly superior to Romo in the turnover margin.
3. He is the better athlete.
When it comes to understanding the offense, the league, and the other team's defense Romo is one of the best in the NFL. Romo has over ten years of experience in the NFL, has been to the playoffs multiple times, and won 80 games as a starter. Mentally Romo may have the edge but he is outclassed by Prescott physically. Both are about the same height and weight although you would never guess that looking at them. Prescott looks much more lean than Romo which means that in all likelihood, Prescott is more muscular. To be fair to Romo, he is a decently mobile quarterback who is know for being able to escape sacks. With that bein said, he is still only a fraction as fast as Prescott. Prescott is a dual threat quarterback who is stronger, faster, and 13 years younger than his counterpart who has been plagued with injuries over the past few years.
4. He adds a new element to the offense with his mobility.
As I previously mentioned, Prescott is a dual threat quarterback and Romo is not. The Cowboys offensive line were not as productive as usual last year because they did not have any superstar quarterbacks or halfbacks. This has changed with the additions of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot, and Alfred Morris. Prescott has been able to allude pressure and take off down the field which has forced defenses to have change their schemes to account for him. This makes it easier for the runningbacks and offensive line because linebackers who would normally be focusing on them are having to stay aware of Prescott. Most NFL quarterbacks have negative rushing yards but Dak Prescott is not most NFL quarterbacks; he can beat defenses through the air or on the ground.
5. He has a history of winning with terrible teams.
Mississippi State is traditionally one of the worst teams in the SEC. That changed with Prescott who lead the program to some of its most successful seasons in recent history, earning the most wins since 1999. The rest of the players on the Bulldogs' rosters were okay but none of them were game changers the way Dak Prescott was. He was the difference in many of the games he participated in. Since Prescott has left college, Mississippi State has struggled. Dak Prescott had a presence in college similar to that Cam Newton or Colt McCoy, meaning that he was the go-to leader who took an average team up to the elite level. That does not always translate well into the professional level but it proves that he has a winning trait that cannot be taught.
6. He has improved each week.
Opening night against the Giants, Prescott played okay but he was far from elite. The next week against the Redskins the production increased and it showed with the Cowboys earning a win. The next two weeks Prescott soared up to the elite level, playing at a level that any quarterback would be pleased with. The teams the Cowboys played, the Bears and 49ers, are below average teams so it was still unsure whether Prescott was performing well or if the other teams were playing terrible. The win against the Bengals changed that because Prescott continued his elite play even against a quality opponent.
7. Rushing Romo back could cause further injury.
Romo has been no stranger to injury during his time in the NFL. Last season was a wake up call because Dallas rushed Romo back into action which lead to him getting re-injured. Last year the Cowboys did not have a choice but this year they do. The Eagles are debatably the strongest opponents the cowboys will play so far this year in addition to it being a division and rivalry game. They are going to be bringing the pressure if Romo starts and he may be a little rusty after the injury to his back. It would be foolish to have Romo come back at such a critical time so early on in the season when Prescott is having as much success as he has been having.
8. Prescott is the future for the Cowboys.
Tony Romo is 36 years old and has been plagued with injury throughout his career. There is not much time left for him in this league. Dak Prescott is 23. Prescott could very well be with the program ten years down the road. It would be in the Cowboys best interest to ensure success for years to come instead of breaking Prescott into the starting role twice in his career.
