I like Dak, and I hope that we can keep him around for a while. I hope that he can return to being a really good starter for us. However, let's face it, he WAS drafted to be a backup and maybe develop into a starter (which is a long shot with Garrett at the helm). Throwing him into the starting role immediately is rather tough on a young chap, and particularly a 4th rounder. I don't know many 4th rounders that start immediately. As well as he did in 2016, I think the coaches actually did him a bit of a disservice by remaining with him as a starter in 2016, in hindsight. At the time, I was all for either QB starting as I like both chaps, as is well documented here. However, looking back, I think returning Romo to the starting lineup would have been the right answer. In fact, that would have benefitted us for 2 reasons. While Romo was rather fragile, I don't think that defences would be so keen to hit him knowing what Dak was capable of in his rookie year. So, if Romo did get hurt which was, sadly, probably likely, Dak could probably pick right back up where he left off. And, however long Romo could start, Dak would be able to learn bits and pieces from Romo that he could later incorporate into his game.
Romo had to go that route as an undrafted fellow, and it worked out rather well, didn't it? Jared Goff didn't start straight away, and he was actually rather dreadful in the few opportunities that he had that year. Brady and Romo had to both learn from Bledsoe (ironic, isn't it?). Aaron Rodgers had to learn under Favre for a few years. Philip Rivers had to learn under Drew Brees early in his career. There are lots of outstanding QBs that don't start straight away, and you know what? That's perfectly normal. In fact, I'd be rather leery of starting a QB straight away. Some of the rookie that are starting straight away this year are struggling mightily. Have a look at Sam Darnold, with the Jets. Outside of the Lions match, he's been rather average, at best. The Bills QB hasn't been all that great, when healthy either, if I'm not mistaken, and no, I'm not referring to Peterman who is absolutely atrocious. The Ravens and Saints have been BRILLIANT with young QBs this year, imo. They have healthy veteran starters, so they don't need to put the QB in straight away. So, they just pepper them in from time to time during matches.