The Dallas Cowboys have had a relatively calm offseason, at least by Jerry Jones standards. They’ve managed to keep key pieces in place, including Javonte Williams, Brandon Aubrey and George Pickens, while also adding Sam Howell to the quarterback room.
Howell, still just 25 and working to settle into the NFL, is expected to battle Joe Milton for the QB2 job. But one idea floating around would send a much bigger jolt through Cowboys Nation: a move for Shedeur Sanders.
Cooper Kleinberg of Pro Football Sports Network named the Cowboys as one of three possible landing spots for Sanders amid trade rumors. The pitch was simple enough: if Milton’s situation doesn’t work out, Jones could bring in Sanders at a relatively low cost and let him develop behind Dak Prescott as the team’s long-term backup.
"While Milton remains under contract, both quarterback experiments appear to have fallen short. Third time could be the charm. Jones could acquire Sanders for relatively cheap and give him the opportunity to develop behind Dak Prescott as the team’s long-term backup."
Still, this doesn’t look like a path the Cowboys need to take. Milton has a big arm, but that same trait has worked against him at times.
In last year’s preseason, he looked more like a fallback option than a clean answer at backup quarterback. Now, though, Howell gives Dallas a real challenger for that role.
Howell’s NFL résumé is basically built around the 2023 season, when he started all 17 games for Washington. That alone gives him a legitimate shot to beat out Milton and claim QB2.
Sanders, though, comes with baggage the Cowboys may not want to invite into the building. NFL executives were said to be uneasy about his attitude during the pre-draft process, and that concern carried into his rookie year. After finding out he would be the backup to Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel, he mouthed all his answers during an interview.
His stat line also reflects a season that was more uneven than eye-catching. Sanders made a Pro Bowl, though that came with a heavy assist from injuries and opt-outs among AFC quarterbacks.
He played in half the season after being QB3 at one point, throwing for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 169 yards and a touchdown.
It’s the kind of headline-grabbing move Jones might be tempted to make, but the Cowboys already appear to have their backup quarterback options lined up. Bringing in Sanders would add risk to a room that doesn’t seem to need any more of it.
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