Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys. (Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
It is unlikely, but there is a chance the Dallas Cowboys could move off Dak Prescott in 2021.
Moving off franchise quarterback Dak Prescott after only five seasons would be highly controversial, but it is something Dallas Cowboys fans must prepare for in his impending NFL free agency.
After being a two-time Pro Bowler as a former fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State back in 2016, Dallas slapped Prescott with the franchise tag last summer. While he made life-changing money for the first time on that one-year deal for 2020, Prescott did not make it through this past NFL season, as he fractured his ankle vs. the division rival New York Giants back in October.
Though he is probably good as new, mobility is a big part of Prescott’s game. While the Cowboys could give him the Kirk Cousins treatment and slap him with the franchise tag again, it will be for even more money than what his 2020 salary commanded. For that reason, there is a chance Dallas could look elsewhere in free agency for a starting quarterback. Who could they end up with?
3 Cowboys quarterback replacements for Dak Prescott in 2021
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Andy Dalton
QB Dallas Cowboys
A local legend with offensive system continuity cannot be overlooked
One of the better offseason moves the Cowboys made last year was signing former Cincinnati Bengals starter and TCU Horned Frogs legend Andy Dalton to a one-year deal. The writing was on the wall for the Red Rifle in the Queen City, as the Bengals had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and a superstar native Ohioan to take with that top selection in LSU’s Joe Burrow.
Dalton was brought in to back up Prescott and bide some time before getting his next opportunity to lead an NFL team. Fate would have it he replaced Prescott under center for “America’s Team” before Halloween even arrived. Though Dallas was a bad team through the entire 2020 campaign, Dalton was serviceable and helped keep the Cowboys in a divisional race they almost won.
By going with Dalton in 2021, that signifies him being a stop-gap starter for the Cowboys, with all eyes set on taking another franchise quarterback in an upcoming draft. Dallas may be in the market to take one in 2021, but the four best quarterback prospects (Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance) will all be off the board before the Cowboys are picking at No. 10.
2021 would be the second year Dalton has been in head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system. With a full offseason’s worth of work, Dalton could be a close proximity to what he was in his prime when he was with the Bengals. Again, that is a bit of a reach, but Dallas will set a high floor for what they get out of the quarterback position in Dalton.