2016 still makes me wonder. Based on Prescott's solid performance, Garrett and the front office had options after Romo was medically cleared to return to the starting role:
- Put Romo in. If Romo and the team play well, the team has the best chance of advancing in the playoffs with more experience at quarterback.
- Put Romo in. If Romo struggles, Prescott gets put back in and hope the team bucks the historical odds.
- Put Romo in. If Romo gets carted off the field, ditto option 2.
The euphoria surrounding Garrett, the front office and a significant portion of the fanbase was... I do not know. It was stronger in some ways than what I recall feeling during previous Super Bowl competing or winning seasons since I was young. Total rational thought was discarded, just like Romo at midseason. October. A franchise quarterback was basically cut from the active roster half way into the season. It is still incredible to think about.
The funny thing is that the front office had made it transparently apparent to Romo that it was moving on from him. It is conceivable that Romo would have voluntarily moved on or retired before the 20176 season even if he had been reinstated as the starter. That extra time could have been used to give the front office a better idea going forward for the next decade since they were totally committed to Prescott after only two months. Proper speculation and preparation for your new franchise quarterback should have been a high
offseason priority.