Kyle Orton or Brandon Weeden: Backup QBs are a Waste of $$$ for the Dallas Cowboys
By Reid Hanson
Dec 29, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Kyle Orton (18) prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
With Brandon Weeden visiting the Dallas Cowboys today, it’s time to fully address the backup QB situation in Dallas. It’s a pointless position and a complete waste of money. Obviously this is my opinion and not a view shared by all but let me explain my side…
Salary Cap problems have put the franchise in a pretty precarious position. Forced to part ways with declining player DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys set out on the impossible goal of filling numerous roster holes with limited funds. As we stand today, there are so many starting spots open on this team, the Cowboys will be forced to play with some very marginal players in 2014.
With such limited funds the Cowboys need to find ways to cut corners. The top corner to cut is the Backup QB. Kyle Orton, who is contemplating retirement, is set to make over $4M in 2014. For a guy who may never see the field that is a pretty hefty price tag. Now the Cowboys are looking to cover themselves when/if Orton really does walk away. Brandon Weeden will visit Big D to see if he could provide a more moderately priced insurance policy to Tony Romo.
Dec 1, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) throws a pass in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
It’s difficult to justify spending much of anything on a backup when the Cowboys have so many open starting spots in need of allocations. The Cowboys need players at other positions and these players are almost guaranteed to see more playing time than a backup QB.
Tony Romo is indeed returning from back surgery and it seems perfectly reasonable to assume he may miss some snaps next season. But does that alone justify paying a player millions just to fill in? Consider this…
The Dallas Cowboys are not very good. After back-to-back-to-back 8-8 seasons, the Cowboys aren’t exactly a team on the verge. In fact they are much more likely to be worse in 2014 than they are to get better. Salary Cap problems and an aging roster say this team has a couple tough years ahead of it.
The Cowboys really don’t have a very good shot at the playoffs even if Romo stays healthy. And even if they put together the perfect draft, there are just too many holes to fill on this team. If Romo goes down, would any backup in the world offer the Cowboys a legitimate chance to improve and possibly become a contender? Are any QBs out there that would even let them tread water?
Maybe the Cowboys could tread water with Orton, but as a sub .500 team what’s the point? I’m largely against veteran backup QBs anyway. I think grooming young and inexpensive talent is always time and money better spent. Obviously if I ran the Broncos who are ALL-IN this season, it would make sense to make a reliable vet, but most teams just don’t need that. The Cowboys certainly don’t.
Most honest Cowboy fans know the score. This team needs to rebuild. The Cowboys will never admit it but they are quietly starting the process. This largely goes across the board to all positions – Aging veterans just get in the way of the process. The Cowboys should be spending their time bringing in young QBs at minimum salaries. Find potential and groom it. They may not work out but at least the Cowboys would be trying.
Veteran backup QBs are just a waste of money for these Dallas Cowboys. What do you think?
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