The Cowboys got caught with their pants down, so to speak, in 2017 due to the fact they didn't have adequate backups at some key positions. That can't happen again moving forward, especially at the quarterback position. Everybody knows the QB is arguably the most important position for an NFL team. It's hard enough to win games when you have a starting QB, but the odds decrease quite a bit when you're forced to play with a backup.
The Dallas Cowboys have been fortunate in that Dak Prescott has remained healthy his first two seasons in the league, but we know how quickly things can change. If he were to sustain any kind of injury that forces him to miss a few games, the Cowboys would have to turn to second-year QB Cooper Rush.
I personally like what I've seen so far from Cooper Rush, but that doesn't mean I'm completely comfortable with him handling the backup duties behind Prescott.
I believe in creating competition throughout the roster, and I think that's exactly what the Cowboys coaching staff should do in order to find the right QB2.
Enter Blaine Gabbert.
Blaine Gabbert is exactly the type of player the Dallas Cowboys would consider bringing in to not only create competition, but provide much-needed depth. He's a former first-round draft pick, and we all know how much the Cowboys like reclamation projects of former high draft picks.
Gabbert, more than likely, would also fall into the category of a “bargain” signing, something the Cowboys have preferred to do in free agency the last few seasons. Last year, he played under a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals and only made $855,000; $80,000 of which was fully guaranteed.
Sound good so far?
Blaine Gabbert definitely sounds like somebody the Dallas Cowboys could target in free agency, but the question remains if he would actually be an upgrade?
I don't know if anybody can answer that honestly. We really don't know what the Cowboys have in Cooper Rush yet.
Rush has shown flashes he can play in the league but we've seen this before. He also doesn't have a lot of experience under his belt. Although Gabbert has failed to live up to his draft status, he has found limited success in the NFL and would provide some veteran leadership/experience to the position. That alone could prove beneficial in meeting rooms with Prescott and the Cowboys new QB coach, Kellen Moore.
Another reason I think Gabbert makes sense is because he has a similar skill set to Dak Prescott. Gabbert has underrated mobility, which would mean the offense wouldn't have to change much if something were to happen to Prescott. Cooper Rush, on the other hand, is more of a pocket passer.
All in all, Blaine Gabbert makes a lot of sense as a player the Cowboys could potentially target in free agency. But that likely depends on what they think they have in Cooper Rush.
