Dallas Cowboys

2017 NFL Free Agency: Backup Quarterback Options for Dallas Cowboys

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:53 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys must put some of their offseason focus on finding a viable backup quarterback in 2017 NFL free agency

The Dallas Cowboys free agent search for a backup quarterback will arrive after trading, or most likely releasing, veteran quarterback Tony Romo in the near future. Mark Sanchez will most likely not be a part of their plans in 2017 either, and Kellen Moore is an unrestricted free agent returning from an injury. That leaves the Cowboys needing a free agent to slot behind Dak Prescott on the depth chart.

Prescott was a gift from the football gods this past season. When Romo went down in the third preseason game with a back injury off a hit from Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Cliff Avril, all seemed lost at that particular moment for the Cowboys. Instead, they played their best football in years with Prescott under center.

He was going to be a third string quarterback for the Cowboys when Prescott was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. But the season-ending injury to Moore and the back injury to Romo left the Cowboys with a rookie under center. He played past season expectations, forming a bond with the offense of the Cowboys that saw them win the NFC East and go 13-3 in the regular season.

Now with the 2016 season in the past, it's time for the Cowboys to build depth at the quarterback position. If recent history tells us anything about the Cowboys, a productive and skilled backup quarterback in the Cowboys free agent path is a must, or there could be a repeat of 2015 if an injury occurs.

There are a few quarterbacks who could really help the Cowboys with their quarterback depth, and here are three player who should be Cowboys free agent targets at signal caller.

Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) drops back for a pass during the first quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

3. Josh McCown

Journeyman quarterback Josh McCown would be a very nice backup quarterback gain in the Cowboys free agent search this offseason. The former Cleveland Browns signal-caller is out on the market, and according to ESPN's Ed Werder, the Cowboys have an interest in him:

There's mutual interest between #Cowboys and backup QB Josh McCown. But Tony Romo decision must come first. Could be factor in TR timing

— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) February 27, 2017

If that is the case, a decision on the future of Romo with the Cowboys could come sooner rather than later. Last season with the last-place Browns, McCown played in just five games while battling injuries and sharing time with many quarterbacks on the Cleveland roster.

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In his five games—three starts—McCown was 90-of-165 (54.5 percent) for 1,100 yards with six touchdowns, six interceptions and was sacked 18 times. In 2015 with the Browns, McCown passed for 2,109 yards for 12 touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games, all starts. Again, he was sacked 23 times, so he's not had the best offensive lines to play around him in recent seasons.

McCown could be a perfect fit as veteran backup in the Cowboys free agent quarterback search. He's an upgrade over Mark Sanchez, as McCown made recent starts in the past few seasons. For his career, McCown has passed for 14,242 yards with 79 touchdowns and 69 interceptions, though he's been sacked 189 times since 2002.

He would certainly bring a veteran stability, and with the offense the Cowboys have built, if he were to be placed in a game, he is good enough to manage a game and let the likes of Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys offensive line take over and do all the work. McCown is capable of making some plays too andm though he wouldn't be the guy the Cowboys would want to rely on for an entire season, he could be an excellent fit for depth at quarterback.

Oct 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub (8) prepares for a game against the San Diego Chargers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

2. Matt Schaub

A former starter in the NFL, his days as a full-time No. 1 signal caller are over, but Schaub does bring experience and past expertise as a starting quarterback with the Houston Texans. He's also a former backup quarterback with the Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders and Atlanta Falcons.

Schaub won't be a game-changer or lead the Cowboys to the playoffs, but is there a more experienced quarterback who has made playoff runs and has settled into a backup role in the latter stages of their career than Schaub?

In 2015, Schaub made two starts with the Ravens, where he threw three touchdown passes and four interceptions. What made him a backup in the first place was his 2013 season with the Texans where he threw 14 interceptions.

In reality, this signing most likely has no chance of occurring, but if the Cowboys free agent search sends them in a path of a quarterback who can play in a pinch, Schaub would be a very nice backup option for the reigning NFC East champions.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Schaub could be in demand for other teams, including the San Francisco 49ers as either a starter or backup:

This would be a Cowboys free agent signing that might cost a little more than usual for a backup, but with the team the Cowboys have built and where they could be headed during the 2017 season, signing a quality backup quarterback is a must. A veteran like Schaub could be what they are looking for, and he's available.

Jan 1, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) drops back to pass against the New York Jets during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

1. EJ Manuel

What if the Cowboys free agent search sends them to take a good look at former Buffalo Bills starter EJ Manuel? After a rookie season of 2013 where he passed for nearly 2,000 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 10 starts, Manuel has started in a total of seven games since, while playing in 18 games.

The former first-round selection won't be wowing anyone on the stat sheets, but he's still young at 26 years old. Manuel has proven he can play in the NFL and most likely won't break the bank for the Cowboys. There is still some untapped potential with Manuel, and playing in Buffalo the past four seasons probably wasn't the most consistent franchise to be a part of with two head coaches in Doug Marrone and Rex Ryan.

Adding a quarterback like Manuel would give the Cowboys a player with some potential, but maybe not the steadiness or easiness as a journeyman veteran quarterback would.

Manuel wouldn't be a terrible option for this season or the next couple seasons as a backup to Prescott. It could be a win-win for each party with the Cowboys having their backup they need for a season or two, while Manuel could rebuild his career while working with an offensive coordinator like Scott Linehan and a head coach who was an NFL backup quarterback during his playing days, Jason Garrett.

This is an idea that could be beneficial to Manuel and one that could put him back on the NFL map as a potential starter one day for another NFL team, all while giving the Cowboys security with their backup quarterback situation in 2017.