The Dallas Cowboys quarterback situation is in complete and utter disarray. Dak Prescott is done for the season. Andy Dalton just had his bell rung so hard, he may miss a week or two. Depending on your belief in Ben DiNucci (who?), it would be safe to say that the Dallas Cowboys need to do something. Despite completely underachieving so far, with a record of 2-5, they are still in the hunt for a playoff berth in the abysmal NFC East.
The following suggestions are ways that the Dallas Cowboys could fix their QB situation before the NFL trade deadline. Each suggestion will discuss pros and cons of acquiring this player, and the potential capital it would require.
I will not be discussing how the team could address its need via free agency. For that, please read BellyUp’s article on Colin Kaepernick.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins
What would it cost?
What would it cost?
6th Round pick, could become a 5th round pick
Why would it happen?
Despite having probably the best year of his career so far, Fitzpatrick was recently benched for rookie and number three overall draft pick, Tua Tagovailoa. He was cheering him on when Tua made his first career completion, but he has openly admitted that he was completely heartbroken losing the starting job. It seems unfair to bench a guy having a great year, especially while they are still in the playoff hunt. Fitzpatrick would welcome an opportunity to start, especially with the weapons that the Dallas Cowboys have to offer.
Why wouldn’t it happen?
The Miami Dolphins like Ryan Fitzpatrick, and he loves the city of Miami. They’re recently promoted a rookie quarterback. A quarterback by the way that is “mobile”, and nobody really knows how that will play out. It is very likely that they may need Fitzpatrick again in the near future. They will not deal away there above average backup quarterback, even if this is the last year of his deal.
Mitchell Trubisky, Bears
What would it cost?
5th round pick
Why would it happen?
Trading for Nick Foles, and his 20 million dollar per year contract, the Bears made no secret that they had lost confidence in Trubisky. Despite giving up a king’s Ransom to get him at the top of the draft, and the fact that he started off 3-0 on the season, his eventual benching has indicated the end of his career with the Chicago Bears. He is in the last year of his rookie deal. He would surely love the chance to start for the Cowboys, and prove he is worth a bigger contract in the offseason.
Why wouldn’t it happen?
Beers are in a similar situation to the Miami Dolphins. The biggest difference is they do not have their quarterback of the future. They have two backup quarterbacks battling it out for a starting position. Foles has done nothing to instill confidence, and it’s quite possible they will go back to Trubisky at some point.
Marcus Mariota, Raiders
What would it cost?
4th round pick
Why would it happen?
Marcus Mariota was brought into the Las Vegas Raiders to compete for the starting position and potentially win the job. That did not happen, and with Derek Carr on Pace to break the completion percentage record, it does not look like Mariota will ever see the field. He is under contract through the end of 2021, and next year’s contract has $0 guaranteed. This means he could potentially be the Cowboys starter next year. At worst a very good backup for Dak Prescott if he comes back healthy.
Why wouldn’t it happen?
Mike Mayock is absolutely in love with Marcus Mariota. Ever since he was drafted, Mariota is a guy that Mayock has pined after. He has no faith in Derek Carr, despite the consistent performance from his starter year after year, and is looking for any opportunity to insert Mariota into the starting lineup. Even if there’s no way that Mariota sees the field, Mayock will not let the love of his life leave.
Cam Newton, Patriots
What would it cost?
7th round pick
Why would it happen?
Despite a promising start to the season, showing that his legs still have some juice left in them, Cam Newton has not shown that he can be a pocket passer. New England has more holes in it’s offensive line than Swiss cheese. Cam Newton is running for his life when he isn’t having his number called as a running back himself. He is taking way too much punishment in New England, and his last few games have been utterly disappointing. They surely want to insert Jarrett Stidham into the starting lineup to see if he is their quarterback of the future.
Why wouldn’t it happen?
Cam Newton is on the quintessential New England Patriots contract. There’s almost no guaranteed money to it. At the end of the season they made only be out a million dollars. Even if they do decide to bench him in favor of Stidham, it is likely they will hold on to Cam Newton as a cheap backup. Brian Hoyer proved in his one start that he is nothing more than an old bag of hot garbage.
Sam Darnold, Jets
What would it cost?
2nd round pick and a 5th round pick that could become a 4th
Why would it happen?
The Jets have already given up on the season. They gave up on the season before the very first game. They traded away their best player in Jamal Adams. Reluctantly let Le’Veon Bell go with a ton of money still guaranteed to him. Their goal this season is not to win the Super bowl or even make the playoffs, but to finish bad enough to draft Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick. Why not pull a Miami Dolphins, and trade away every asset that you have? There are rumors that Quinnen Williams is on the market, so why not Sam Darnold to the Cowboys.
Why wouldn’t it happen?
Sam Darnold is all only two years removed from being number three overall pick in the draft. He still has a ton of promise and potential. He will not compete for the starting position with Trevor Lawrence, but the New York Jets are stubborn. I do not see them trading away such a young promising player for anything less than a first-round pick. Based on the way that Darnold has played, it is unlikely any team will offer anything close to that.
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