Cowboys Back In Veteran QB Market

The Cowboys have seen enough from Dak Prescott this preseason to determine he will be their starter while Tony Romo rehabs from his latest injury.

Instead of bringing in a veteran with an eye on inserting some experience into their starting lineup, the Cowboys are searching for one who will back up the fourth-round rookie, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports (on Twitter).

Both Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones said the team they will look for a backup signal-caller, per Moore. The Cowboys pursued Nick Foles, with Stephen Jones announcing the team was engaged briefly in dialogue with him before he agreed to become Alex Smith‘s backup with the Chiefs. Dallas kept its top two from 2015 intact coming into camp, with Kellen Moore entering as Romo’s backup. But injuries to both have hijacked the team’s plans.

The Cowboys attempted to trade up to No. 26 to acquire Paxton Lynch, but when the Seahawks accepted the Broncos’ offer to do so instead, Jerry Jones lamented not offering more soon after. They drafted Prescott in the fourth round, and he’s shown quick competency this preseason by throwing for five touchdown passes and rushing for two more scores, but don’t have much healthy behind him. 2015 UDFA Jameill Stowers sits behind Prescott presently.

The team also discussed Josh McCown with the Browns briefly but found Cleveland’s asking price to be too high. Now that the Chiefs have acquired Foles, they will have to part ways with one of the five quarterbacks they have in camp — probably two — but the bottom three haven’t attempted a regular-season pass. The Jets have three draft picks behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com wonders if Geno Smith could be available (Twitter link). Of course, then the Jets would be bereft of experience behind their starter.

Tarvaris Jackson and Jimmy Clausen are available in free agency, with Charlie Whitehurst and T.J. Yates currently unemployed as well.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.