I Do Feed That” – When Jerry Jones Admitted to Stirring Cowboys QB Controversy with Dak Prescott and Tony Romo

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has always been known for his bold statements and willingness to stir the pot in the media.

One of the most significant controversies of his tenure involved the quarterback position, a key area of the team’s success and stability. At the heart of this drama were two quarterbacks—Dak Prescott, the rising star, and Tony Romo, the seasoned veteran. Jones, who has never shied away from making headlines, admitted to playing a part in fueling the quarterback controversy that would become a hot topic among fans, analysts, and the media alike.

 The Rise of Dak Prescott

In 2016, Dak Prescott burst onto the NFL scene as a rookie quarterback for the Cowboys. Prescott stepped in as the starter after Tony Romo suffered a preseason back injury, forcing him out of action for the entirety of the season. Prescott’s impressive performance—leading Dallas to a 13-3 record and earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors—made it difficult to argue that Romo should reclaim his starting role once healthy.

Despite Romo’s long-standing status as the team’s franchise quarterback, Prescott’s rise put Jones in a precarious position. On one hand, Romo was beloved by fans and had a long history with the team, but on the other hand, Prescott had proven to be a highly capable leader on the field. This set the stage for one of the most talked-about quarterback controversies in recent NFL history.

The Public Debate: Dak vs. Romo

As the 2016 season progressed, the question on everyone’s mind was whether the Cowboys would go back to Romo once he was healthy. Jones, as the face of the franchise, found himself in the difficult position of having to publicly navigate this issue. At times, it seemed that Jones was leaning toward bringing Romo back in, but at other times, he seemed to embrace the idea of moving forward with Prescott.

In March 2017, after the Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs, the debate over the starting quarterback position reached a boiling point. Romo announced his retirement from the NFL, ending his 14-year career with the Cowboys. His decision was a seismic shift for the franchise, and it seemed as though Prescott’s job was safe going forward.

However, Jones had planted the seeds of uncertainty in the minds of both fans and the media. In interviews, he would often make cryptic comments that kept the door open for a potential quarterback competition, even though Romo was no longer on the roster. This left people wondering if Jones was attempting to create drama for the sake of media attention or if he was genuinely unsure of Prescott’s future with the team.

### “I Do Feed That”

In one of his more candid moments, Jerry Jones openly admitted to fueling the quarterback controversy. During an interview in 2017, Jones made a revealing comment: “I do feed that. I do. I think it’s good for the Cowboys.” With this statement, Jones acknowledged that part of his strategy was to keep the media and fans engaged by stoking the fires of the quarterback debate, even though Dak Prescott had clearly established himself as the starter.

Jones’ admission was met with mixed reactions. Some saw it as a calculated move to keep the Cowboys relevant in the news cycle, while others viewed it as a distraction that could potentially undermine Prescott’s confidence and stability. However, Jones remained firm in his belief that the controversy surrounding the quarterback position only helped keep the Cowboys in the public eye, and that in the world of professional sports, attention is a valuable commodity.

### The Impact of Jerry Jones’ Strategy

The quarterback controversy did, in many ways, have a lasting impact on both Prescott and the Cowboys. On one hand, it placed additional pressure on Prescott, who had to deal with the weight of competing with a legend in Romo, even if Romo was no longer on the field. Prescott’s early success, particularly in 2016, might have allowed him to escape much of the scrutiny, but as the years went on, Jones’ actions kept the narrative of competition alive.

Despite Jones’ public statements, Prescott continued to prove himself as the franchise quarterback. He led the Cowboys to multiple playoff appearances and earned Pro Bowl selections along the way. Over time, Prescott’s place as the leader of the Cowboys became unquestioned, but the cloud of uncertainty that hovered over the quarterback position in the early days of his career has never fully dissipated. It is clear that the media spectacle created by Jones had some effect on the way fans and analysts viewed Prescott’s development.

### Jones’ Public Role in the Quarterback Controversy

While Jones’ comments might have been seen as a promotional strategy, his involvement in the quarterback situation went beyond the media circus. As the owner and general manager of the team, Jones has always held a prominent role in personnel decisions. He has a reputation for being deeply involved in football operations, and his influence over the Cowboys’ roster has often extended to matters of leadership and locker room dynamics.

Jones’ actions with the quarterback position reflect a larger pattern of decision-making in which he frequently exerts his influence to shape the narrative around the team. In this case, Jones seemed to view the quarterback position as both a source of competitive advantage and a media commodity. By keeping the quarterback conversation alive, Jones ensured that the Cowboys remained a topic of discussion throughout the offseason and into the regular season, whether for good or ill.

### Long-Term Effects on Dak Prescott and the Cowboys

Looking back, it’s clear that Prescott’s career trajectory has largely overcome the shadow of the quarterback controversy. Prescott has proven himself to be a top-tier NFL quarterback, and the Cowboys have embraced him as their leader. However, Jones’ decision to keep the controversy alive for so long undoubtedly had an impact on how Prescott was perceived in the early years of his career.

For Prescott, it meant having to constantly prove himself, even in seasons when his play was strong. The uncertainty created by Jones’ comments left room for doubt, which added pressure on Prescott to exceed expectations. In the long run, however, Prescott’s performance silenced many of his critics, and he has become a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ franchise.

For the Cowboys, the quarterback controversy was a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it provided attention and kept the team in the media spotlight. On the other hand, it created unnecessary drama that could have been avoided. It’s possible that the controversy, fueled by Jones’ own remarks, delayed the full and unchallenged embrace of Prescott as the Cowboys’ unquestioned leader.

### Conclusion

Jerry Jones’ admission that he “feeds” the quarterback controversy surrounding Dak Prescott and Tony Romo sheds light on the owner’s unique approach to managing the Cowboys. While it might have been seen as a strategic move to generate publicity, it also highlighted the challenges faced by Prescott early in his career. Ultimately, Jones’ meddling did not prevent Prescott from solidifying his status as the franchise’s quarterback, but it did add a layer of complexity to an already pressure-filled position.

In the end, Jones’ willingness to stoke the flames of controversy may have been more about maintaining the Cowboys’ brand and media relevance than it was about any genuine uncertainty regarding Prescott’s ability. Today, with Prescott firmly entrenched as the Cowboys’ leader, the controversy is mostly a thing of the past, but the echoes of Jones’ comments still linger in the memory of fans and media alike.