Dallas Cowboys

NFL: Dallas Cowboys winners, Minnesota Vikings losers in QB Carousel

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys did much better at addressing their quarterback needs than the Minnesota Vikings did this weekend as they spent less and got more

This opinion won’t be popular, but the Dallas Cowboys did far better in their search for quarterback help than the Minnesota Vikings did on Saturday. Both teams are trying to overcome injuries to their starters, and both filled holes. However, Dallas was patient and got what they wanted whereas Minnesota panicked and paid a premium for a sub-par player.

Of course, both teams situations weren’t identical. However, their approaches to solving the issue were as different as the cities the teams reside in.

Dallas hopes to have starter Tony Romo back in six weeks or so. They will do as many teams should in the meantime, turn to their number two guy. For the Cowboys, that’s rookie Dak Prescott.

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The fourth-round pick wowed fans during the preseason with his poise, accuracy, and mobility. He looked the part of a seasoned veteran as he marched Dallas up and down the field week-in and week-out despite experiencing the league for the first time. He proved Dallas right for not panicking to over pay for a quarterback in the offseason. The Cowboys then doubled down on that approach after realizing Jameill Showers wasn’t ready to back up Prescott.

Rather than give the Cleveland Browns a premium pick for a 37-year-old Josh McCown, they looked elsewhere. They again avoided overpaying for a Browns cast off as they didn’t give Austin Davis what he wanted.

Instead, they waited until the Denver Broncos cut Mark Sanchez, a former fifth-overall selection. That’s when they pounced. Dallas was able to get a guy with 72 regular season and eight postseason starts in the NFL. They were also able to get him without giving up any assets at all.

Clearly these were two vastly different approaches in how to operate in this type of scrambling situation. Let’s break down why the Vikings dropped the ball and the Cowboys put themselves in a nice position.

Aug 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of their game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Where the Vikings Went Wrong

In contrast, Minnesota needed someone to replace their starter Teddy Bridgewater, who will miss the whole season due to severe knee injuries. There’s also fear he could be a different player all together when he does return.

With that in mind, they were hesitant to do what Dallas did: hand the team to their backup. Minnesota employs 36-year old journeyman Shaun Hill, but they obviously didn’t trust him.

Why teams keep a backup they don’t trust makes no sense, but since Minnesota did—and it led to a terrible move. The Vikings sent a first round selection in 2017, and a conditional fourth round pick in 2018 to the Philadelphia Eagles for Sam Bradford.

This is the same quarterback who caused two franchises to sell the farm to get a real quarterback. After the Rams dumped Bradford on Philly, they traded a handful of picks this season to select Jared Goff. After Philly relied on Bradford for a season, they traded just as much to get Carson Wentz.

Sure, NFL media members love Bradford for some reason. They also despise Sanchez. Because of that, many will think the Vikings did well here and Dallas didn’t. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) looks to pass in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Did it Better

Two NFL teams showed what they think of Bradford by doing all they could to rid themselves of his mediocrity. In his career, the former first-overall pick has never thrown for more than 3,725 yards in a season. He also has never had more than 21 touchdown passes in a season, and only hit the 20 mark once (2012).

What he has done is produce losing seasons and gotten injured. In 2015 Philly was such a disappointment that it seemed like everyone got fired, or cut. What people forget: that was the best season ever for Bradford. This was the only time he ever even reached .500 as a starter as he won seven and lost seven of his 14 starts. He tossed his career high in yards in a high-octane offense, but was still among the lowest producers in the NFL. Oh, and Bradford has never even sniffed the playoffs.

Yet, people keep heaping praise on the big-time bust. Bradford is one of the worst first-overall picks ever. Minnesota gave up a chance to get a young player with upside in 2017 for what should be a one-year stop gap.

Dallas on the other hand gave up nothing for a guy who has produced two winning seasons, two seasons of .500 and just two losing seasons as a starter (one losing season came last year filling in for Bradford in Philadelphia when he went 0-2). Sanchez also has a 4-2 record in the playoffs and had back-to-back trips to the AFC Championship games in 2009 and 2010 with the New York Jets.

Also, Dallas is only going to need Sanchez if something should happen to Dak Prescott. Minnesota on the other hand is pinning their hopes and mortgaged next season’s top pick for a proven bust. Dallas was the team here that won with the quarterback carousel on cut day in the NFL. Minnesota messed up big time. Don’t buy the lies that it went any other way.

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