J.T. Barrett is getting another shot at an NFL gig. The journeyman quarterback is joining the Cowboys on a tryout basis, reports ESPN’s Todd Archer. Dallas is also auditioning quarterback Brady Davis.
Barrett had a standout career at Ohio State, earning three first team All-Big-Ten nods and setting a number of school records. He ultimately finished his collegiate career with a 38-6 record, tossing 104 touchdowns vs. only 30 interceptions. While many of his teammates were ultimately drafted following their stints with the Buckeyes, Barrett went undrafted in 2018.
Since that time, the quarterback hasn’t been able to hold a steady gig in the NFL. He’s had two stints with the Saints, and he also spent time with the Seahawks and Steelers, but the 26-year-old has yet to see the field for a regular season game. 2020 was the first season where Barrett didn’t have a job, so this could be his final chance to crack an NFL roster.
While he has some familiarity with a handful of Cowboys players (including college teammate Ezekiel Elliott), Barrett will be hard pressed to make the regular season roster. Barrett will have to leap at least two of Cooper Rush, Garrett Gilbert, and Ben DiNucci for the opportunity to be one of Dak Prescott‘s backup.
Davis, an undrafted free agent in 2020, split his collegiate career between Memphis and Illinois State. In 27 games for the Redbirds, the quarterback compiled 3,514 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
He looked better in college than half the stiffs that that get trotted out there filling in for injured starters. Wonder what the deal is, not able to pick up the playbooks?
As an Urban Meyer athletic college QB success, he will have a shorter path to the starting line up as a TE.
He will only have to leap Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, and WFT favorite Jeremy Sprinkle. It is a copy cat league after all.
Barrett doesn’t really have that size. If anything, he may try wideout, aka Terelle Pryor. But I’m not sure Barrett is anything other than a QB. He seemed to be the best of the Ohio State signal callers back then, but his playbook back then (as it does now) revolved heavily around his athletic talent more than his pocket presence. Barrett must be working very hard to break in to the league still, so all good luck to him.
Yes, Alex Smith had a great career as an NFL TE.
They must be trading Prescot. The pack signed Bortles to trade Rodgers. Makes sense, no?
Who would trade for him today given his current injury and contract situation?
This dude should have never left OSU. He was so raw as a QB but struck “Lighting in a bottle” with a National Championship. Was never viewed as a starter in the NFL.
But he played 4 full seasons, he had no choice but to leave OSU. I’d be more concerned why a guy with no eligibility left is hanging out on campus instead of chasing an NFL career.
Which is why Cardale Jones left. And he earned a lifetime’s wages doing so, 1.5M. JT hasnt earned above the poverty line in the NFL for what’s posted.
He is another example of a very successful Ohio State QB’s that has not made it in the NFL. Here’s hoping Fields is different. I’m not holding my breath however.
Of the many successful Ohio State QB’s, who was the last one to find success in the NFL? Will have to go back quite a bit most likely. There QB system works great in college but does not transfer to the NFL.
Wish him luck, but odds are stacked against him.
The Cowboys are a train wreck and this move shows that. With your starter coming off a major injury (plus a corrective surgery) you don’t sign someone with this little experience as your backup. They should have made a trade with the Raiders to get Mariota or someone similar.