The Dallas Cowboys have to be thinking that they are cursed when it comes to keeping their quarterbacks healthy. First, it was Kellen Moore who was injured in practice, then last week Tony Romo goes down and is out for an unknown amount of time with a broken vertebrae in his back.
If you’re keeping count, that’s your projected starter and backup quarterback for the 2016 season.
How many teams in the NFL would be completely devastated and thinking their season was pretty much done before it even officially starts?
That would obviously be the Dallas Cowboys if not for the inspiring play of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, who is likely the Week 1 starter for America’s Team.
Prescott has shown the ability to lead the Cowboys offense and put points on the board, but the organization would likely prefer having a veteran QB on hand if things don’t go as planned.
When Kellen Moore went down with an injury I took a look at the available free agent quarterbacks, but the Dallas Cowboys decided to take a wait-and-see approach with Dak Prescott and Jameill Showers instead. That approach seems to be paying off, but they could be once again looking for a veteran QB.
Instead of rehashing the available QB’s, I decided to take a look at the quarterbacks around the league that could be released by their respective teams and claimed via waiver wire by the Cowboys.
Below are a few of the quarterbacks that I think could be possibly released.
Austin Davis / Josh McCown (Cleveland Browns)
When projected backup quarterback Kellen Moore went down with an injury, the Dallas Cowboys explored the possibility of trading for veteran QB Josh McCown. The rumor is that the Cleveland Browns were wanting a third or fourth round draft pick in return, but that asking price was too steep for the Cowboys organization.
Robert Griffin III is slated to be the starter, so both Austin Davis and McCown are battling for the backup spot. The loser of that battle possibly being released, depending how many QB’s they keep on the roster. I prefer Davis over McCown, but both players would provide veteran experience behind Dak Prescott.
Bryce Petty / Geno Smith (New York Jets)
Neither Bryce Petty or Geno Smith would likely be any better than what the Dallas Cowboys already have at the quarterback position.
Personally I don’t want anything to do with Geno Smith. It seems like he has an attitude problem, but that could possibly just be with the Jets organization.
The Dallas Cowboys took a hard look at the former Baylor quarterback, Bryce Petty, prior to the draft last season and should have a good understanding of the type of player he is. If released he could be a possibility to bring in and develop, but they might be looking for a more veteran quarterback instead of a developmental project.
Sean Mannion (Los Angeles Rams)
Personally, Sean Mannion is probably my favorite quarterback on this list and I would absolutely love for the Cowboys to bring him aboard if he is released by the Rams. Mannion has rare size (6’6″, 230) and mobility that would intrigue a number of teams in the NFL.
The Rams drafted him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft and the Dallas Cowboys saw firsthand what he can do when he replaced the injured Jared Goff in the first preseason game against the Cowboys. Mannion’s play against the Cowboys was one of the reasons the Rams were able to come back and win the game.
We still aren’t 100% sure if the Dak Prescott we’ve seen in the preseason is the one we will continue to see. Mannion has all the intangibles to develop into a starting quarterback in the NFL or at the very least a very good backup QB.
Shaun Hill (Minnesota Vikings)
If the Dallas Cowboys are indeed looking for a veteran quarterback, then Shaun Hill could possibly be at the top of the list if he is released by the Minnesota Vikings.
Hill has previously been a backup quarterback for offensive coordinator Scott Linehan during their time with the Detroit Lions. He already has the knowledge of the offensive system and could provide that veteran leadership for the young quarterbacks on the Cowboys roster.
Hill is however 36 and is at the age where a quarterbacks arm starts to decline, so the Cowboys would definitely have to do their homework and determine if he has anything left in the tank.
Alex Tanney (Tennessee Titans)
Alex Tanney was a member of the Dallas Cowboys briefly in 2013. He played in five preseason games and completed 40 of 73 passes for 423 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. He was released and then re-signed to the practice squad, only to be poached by the Cleveland Browns.
Tanney and the Cowboys obviously have a working knowledge of one another, but I honestly don’t think the Cowboys organization would go this direction. I just think there are better options available, but I could be wrong.
EJ Manuel (Buffalo Bills)
If EJ Manuel is released by the Buffalo Bills, the Dallas Cowboys could bring him in and see if they can bring out the talent that made him a first-round draft pick in the first place.
I may be mistaken, but the Cowboys showed interest in Manuel last season when they were looking for a backup quarterback. At the time, the Buffalo Bills weren’t interested in trading him, but this is a year later and Manuel hasn’t developed the way they had hoped.
The Dallas Cowboys seem to like to bring in former first rounders and EJ Manuel certainly fits into that category.
Mark Sanchez (Denver Broncos)
It is already rumored that the Denver Broncos are planning to release Mark Sanchez. If released would the Dallas Cowboys be interested in the former first-round quarterback?
I personally don’t see any interest from the Cowboys in bringing in Sanchez, but he is however a veteran player with playoff experience. They should be familiar with who Sanchez is as a player due to his time with the division rival Philadelphia Eagles, so the decision could possibly already have been made.
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Do any of these quarterbacks interest you?
Please feel free to use the comment section below to provide your thoughts and opinions or to share with us what quarterback you would like the Dallas Cowboys to bring in.
None all are bums
I don’t disagree Mario, but the Cowboys are probably looking for someone to provide that veteran leadership/experience for Prescott and Showers. That is at least until Romo or Kellen Moore can take the field.
Thanks for doing the research. I think there are some interesting options for the team on your list. I think Austin Davis sounds intriguing as he has had some success in that role before and would come at a good price. Knowing the Cowboys, they will probably look to Shaun Hill since he has experience with our coach which could come in handy since we are only looking at a handful of games to be on the roster until Romo returns. After those two one of the young options would be intriguing.
Thanks for the feedback. The Cowboys have options, it just depends on what direction they finally end up going.
If the Rams let Mannion go, Dallas needs to pick him up. Just seen him that first preseason game but he really looked good
I 100% agree with you Darrell. There is a lot to like about Mannion’s game.
So what are the windows for Romo and Moore’s returns? Too long to risk going without? Trying to remember how long before Cassel took over for Weeden….2 weeks? Also, are you on the Zak bandwagon regarding readiness for regular season play? Thanks!
Thanks for commenting Ned. I think Romo could possibly return after the Cowboys bye week in week 7. I am on the Prescott bandwagon. He hasn’t done anything to make me think that he’s not ready. I am curbing my expectations a little until I see him face a defense that has actually game planned for him.
I don’t think none of those quarterback would be a good decision.I’m wondering why everyone looking over Michael Vick I think he would be the one that would lead any team to the Superbowl.
Chris, I mentioned Michael Vick in a previous article when I was examining the available free agent QB’s. He is a good option, but I just don’t see the Cowboys organization going that direction. He’s a little like Romo and has been somewhat injury prone the last few seasons.
Mark Sanchez is a bum. Why not Michael Vick.
Bryan, I mentioned Michael Vick in a separate article about the free agent quarterbacks the Cowboys could be interested in. However, I don’t see the Cowboys being very interested in Michael Vick.
Austin Davis or Bryce Petty…
Tony, for what I think the Cowboys are looking for I would have to go with Austin Davis. He has more experience in the NFL and is further along in his development. Bryce Petty would be someone I would like to see brought in to help develop for the future, but I don’t think he’s the answer right now for the Cowboys. Thanks for take the time to leave a comment.