The hype surrounding Dallas Cowboys rookie safety Caleb Downs is so high that no one is questioning if he’ll make a positive impact. Rather, it’s all about how he will make an impact, and how much of it.

One specific aspect fans and media members wonder about is: Can Downs be a communicator early on? After all, football IQ is one of his biggest calling cards. That’s why some consider him a candidate to wear the green dot denoting the player with direct radio communication to the sideline.

But former Cowboys safety George Teague, who played 133 games in the NFL, says not so fast. And his reasoning comes from experience.

Teague calls for patience on Caleb Downs

Speaking on an interview for DLLS Sports, Teague offered his thoughts on Downs potentially taking on the green dot as a rookie.

“I was a quarterback of the defense,” Teague said. “I considered myself very, very smart when I came into the league. I felt like I was prepared. I was high level. I went on the the first round, not as high as him. But coming in, I still wasn’t ready to be that leader with that green dot.

As good of a communicator as I could have been, that’s a whole different level when you come out there. Things are moving fast. There are so many shifts and motions. I wouldn’t go there too early.”

Cowboys appear to be on the same page

Teague’s words appear to be backed up by the Cowboys. After picking him in the draft, head coach Brian Schottenheimer revealed Dallas planned to use him at nickel first while he unlocked the rest of the defense.

That alone suggests they want to take it easy on him regardless of his smarts.

But what if Downs simply blows them away? Schottenheimer said pre-draft that there are some rookie linebackers who you could be comfortable with rocking the green dot. There’s always that chance, but again, doesn’t seem like it’s an option right now.

Notably, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer didn’t explicitly name Downs as a candidate for the green dot when talking about it in rookie minicamp.

“It might be [DeMarvion Overshown], it might be Jalen Thompson, it might be Dee Winters, it might be whoever,” Schottenheimer said in May.

Teague is very bullish on Downs, though

While Teague would prefer if the Cowboys hold on on handing Downs the green dot, he has high expectations for Downs.

“When you start to listen and talk to people, and you still see what he is, he doesn’t have any wasted movement,” Teague said. “He can play very well in space. He’s playing around the line of scrimmage. He can run. I really like what he does in space.”

That being said, Teague wants to see more from him against the modern NFL tight end.

“The only thing that I do kind of worry about is he hasn’t really had to cover any of these NFL tight ends yet,” he added. “These are some different dudes. We’ve got some really good ones on our schedule this year. So he’s going to have to show us.”

Don’t bet on Downs to wear the green dot

I’m with Teague on this one. The Cowboys have better options for the green dot and there’s no reason to complicate a rookie’s journey into the NFL by adding these responsibilities. Just let him do his thing and play freely for now.

As of today, my money is on safety Jalen Thompson to wear the green dot. Ideally, you’d have a linebacker take on the role. But Thompson’s snap count should be much higher than any of the linebackers’ and there’s a reason why he signed to a $33 million deal.

Not to mention, I would prefer it if DeMarvion Overshown plays freely to show off his outstanding athleticism. And while Dee Winters is in line to start, he’s also more of a run-and-hit linebacker.

As of today, chances are not even the Cowboys know who will wear the green dot. The door is wide open and training camp should reveal more. But for now, I’m not betting on Downs to bear that responsibility.