Forget Derek Carr, This is the QB to Replace Dak Prescott for the Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have an interesting decision to make at the quarterback spot this season regarding starter Dak Prescott. Should they re-sign him to a multi-year extension? Or do they let him hit free agency and find someone else to take over the starting job?

If the Cowboys choose the latter option, it’s been suggested that Dallas should trade for Derek Carr, who still has two years left on a four-year, $150 million contract he signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2023. 

Carr wouldn’t be a significant upgrade over Prescott as he’s only thrown 30 or more touchdown passes once in his career (32 in 2015). However, he’d likely be cheaper than what it would cost to give Prescott an extension.

That said, Dallas shouldn’t look to go after Carr, instead the better option might be to trade for Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith.

Smith is the same age as Carr (33 years old), but he only has a base salary of $14.8 million and a dead cap of $38.5 million. The Seahawks quarterback could be viewed as a stop-gap for a season, while Dallas finds/develops their future starting QB.

The 2024 season might be Smith’s last in Seattle after the team acquired Sam Howell in a trade from the Washington Commanders this offseason. Seahawks GM John Schneider spoke highly of Howell, mentioning him in the same breath as Brett Favre.

“I was around Brett Favre at a really young age – the guy was throwing interceptions like crazy, and he ends up winning three MVPs,” Schneider said (h/t Seattle Times). “I love the way he plays the game. Sam and Brett.”

Cowboy fans might not be thrilled about the idea of trading for Smith, who took a step back last season after throwing for 30 touchdowns and over 4,000 passing yards in 2022. Nonetheless, if you give Smith weapons at wide receiver/tight end, which he would have in Dallas, Smith could have a solid one-year with the Cowboys.

Would it be on the same level statistically as Prescott, who has thrown for 36 or more TDs in two out of the last three seasons? 

Probably not – but the idea of trading for Smith is not to be hamstrung by a long-term contract, which frees up money to make other moves and allows the team to bring in a new young guy to take over the job.

With Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy on a prove-it deal, along with Prescott, we could see a changing of the guard happening in Dallas next offseason, especially if Dallas cannot make a deep playoff run in 2024.

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