Dallas Cowboys: Free Agent QB Targets in 2016
By Reid Hanson
Nov 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback
Nick Foles(5) passes against the Minnesota Vikings in overtime at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 21-18. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys possible QB Target: Nick Foles and Colin Kaepernick
Let’s be clear, both players are under contract for next season and will need to be released by their current teams in order to be free agent options for the Dallas Cowboys. Both players are also currently playing on deals that guarantee a ridiculous amount of money so neither player is a realistic trade option for the Dallas Cowboys either.
We’ll get back to actual free agents on the next page but for now, these two recent starters are worth discussing since there is the very real possibility they will be cut.
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The rise and fall of Colin Kaepernick is a curious one to say the least. Once thought of as the next great dual threat QB, Kaep posted two strong seasons for the 49ers. In 2013, he rushed for 524 yards with four TDs and passed for 3,197 yards with 21 TDs, eight interceptions, and a passer rating of 98.3.
In 2014 Kaep rushed for 639 yards with one TD and passed for 3369 yards with 19 TDs and 10 interceptions for a passer rating of 91.6.
Since then, he’s seemingly been exposed for his coverage recognition (or lack thereof) and has struggled with his decision making skills.
At only 28, Kaep still has a chance to right the ship as long as he plays to his strengths and has the right offense around him to work. The Dallas Cowboys would have a shot at him but much like the others, he’s much more inclined to go somewhere he can start from day 1 – again, like Philly.
Nick Foles, aka Napoleon Dynamite, is a man the Dallas Cowboys know all too well. The former starter for the Philadelphia Eagles has had his share of greatness as well as days he’d sooner forget. After signing a two year deal in St Louis this offseason, Foles has underachieved greatly and may be cut a year early.
Like Kaepernick and RGIII, Nick Foles does have some proven success on his resume. And also like those two, he has plenty of failures as well. Foles’ best season was in 2013 when he passed for 2,891 yards, 27 TDs, just two interceptions, for a passer rating of 119.2, all in just 13 games of work.
Since then, Foles has earned passer ratings of 81.4 and 69.0 and has thrown a combined 20 TDs and 20 INTs. The 26-year-old native Texan has shown two very distinct sides in his short career and seems the most likely of all the aforementioned candidates to willingly take on a backup role.
Next: The Rest of the Free Agents...