With veteran quarterback Tony Romo out yet again for an extended period of time, the Dallas Cowboys are on track to spend several early-season weeks with two quarterbacks — Dak Prescott and Jameill Showers — who have never been active for an NFL game.
That, of course, is scary, especially since Prescott was only a fourth-round pick this year and Showers wasn’t drafted in 2015. Sure, Prescott has been phenomenal in the preseason and even Showers has had some nice moments, but the Cowboys know they need a veteran option in the mix come Sept. 11, when they open the regular season against the New York Giants.
Now, without giving up anything they could turn to a free agent like Tarvaris Jackson, Matt Flynn, Josh Freeman or even Michael Vick. But there’s a reason those guys remain unsigned, whereas a couple of teams that are just locking in their quarterback depth charts may be willing to trade a veteran pivot to Dallas for next to nothing.
One is currently a member of the New York Jets, while another was already cast away by the Jets several years ago.
Geno Smith could probably use a change of scenario after a poor preseason has many wondering if he’ll even make the final roster in New York. Remember, Smith appeared to be making progress as a starter late in his second NFL season, but then a teammate broke his jaw, he lost his starting job and Ryan Fitzpatrick has been the man ever since.
Meanwhile, Mark Sanchez just hasn’t cut it with the Denver Broncos, and if the team’s third preseason game is any indication, the former No. 5 overall pick might actually be the third option under center for the Broncos. It appears 2015 seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian has locked up the starting job, and we know rookie first-rounder Paxton Lynch is waiting in the wings.
Thing about both quarterbacks is they’ve each looked more than capable in short spurts. In fact, during stretches during his first two seasons, Smith looked like a franchise-caliber quarterback, and Sanchez has been a hero in both New York and Philly.
Eventually, that wears off and they’re exposed. But the Cowboys don’t need either to start for an extended stretch. In fact, they might not need to start at all. But both are very capable of stepping in for short stretches and managing things for a team that has a great offensive line, a talented young running back and a superstar receiver-tight end duo.
If I’m the Cowboys, I’m willing to give up more for Smith, who is younger (he’s 25, Sanchez is 29), probably has a slightly higher ceiling and has a game that more closely resembles Romo’s and Prescott’s. Plus, Smith is due only $1.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract this season, while Sanchez is owed $9 million over the next two seasons.
But the reality is either would have a good chance at getting the job done, so it’s worth the gamble.
