The Dallas Cowboys are fully aware they need to find a quality backup to place behind Tony Romo next season, but how they go about that is the biggest question. The Cowboys can either get an already-established backup to bring on or they could acquire someone in the NFL Draft to begin developing to take over the quarterback position. The Cowboys insist they will look at all options, even the ones considered dangerous.
Romo is the undisputed starting quarterback for 2016 which means the Cowboys have some freedom in what they do with the backup position considering they do not need them to start immediately. While many believe the Cowboys will acquire someone in the draft, owner Jerry Jones admits they could look at other ideas including Johnny Manziel or Robert Griffin III who are both expected to be made available this offseason. Jones has been a long-time fan of both quarterbacks and made it clear that no one is out of the running.
"Well, let's just put it like this: We all would be aware that to bet on our [Kellen] Moore for our backup quarterback has elements of risk to it, but I'm not so sure that that's any riskier than anything you would do with a decision in the future," Jones said, via ESPN.com. "On the other hand, what would enhance me taking risk is a bigger upside. And if that upside is there, that old risk-reward situation, then, yeah."
Looking to avoid tampering situations, many have come to the conclusion that Manziel and Griffin are not out of the running to sign on. Team vice president Stephen Jones told the media that just because one situation did not work does not mean the quarterback is not talented. Neither Manziel nor Griffin would be expected to start right away which would give them time to develop and potentially become better.
The Cowboys have the No.4 pick in the NFL Draft which means they could get a top quarterback to develop. The Titans will not select a quarterback at No.1 and the Chargers will not do so at No.3. That leaves the Browns and Cowboys as the first two teams to potentially select a quarterback. Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch, Carson Wentz and Christian Hackenberg represent the supposed best-available rookies entering this year's draft at the position. They might be the better option in the long run over Manziel or Griffin. Regardless of who they go about it, Romo is aware that the need is there and he believes the Cowboys will bring in the best option for the future.
"We're going to evaluate everybody and the organization is going to look at who to take and they're going to take the best player," Romo said, via ESPN. "If the best player there is a quarterback, then that's what our team needs. Our team needs good players. I'm just obviously a player on the football team and I don't have to make those decisions, and I'm glad. My job's is go out and get better and make sure this team wins next year."
