Dak Prescott is the Cowboys starter. Signing Dalton has nothing to do with Prescott’s deal and everything to do with having a reliable backup.
Here’s what the addition of Andy Dalton to the Dallas Cowboys is not: a sign of unhappiness with negotiations with quarterback Dak Prescott and a way to leverage a long-term deal.
The addition of the former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback is about making the roster better.
By adding Dalton, the Cowboys might have the best backup quarterback in the NFL.
At 32, he has thrown 204 touchdown passes. He has 31,954 passing yards. He has been to the playoffs. He has won big games.
If something happened to Prescott, who has yet to miss a game in his career, the Cowboys have a known commodity in Dalton, who wanted to come to the Cowboys in part because of the uncertainty created by the coronavirus pandemic. He lives in Dallas so it makes sense even if he had a better opportunity elsewhere.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dalton’s deal is worth $3 million and could grow to $7 million.
Cooper Rush, who has served as Prescott’s backup the last three seasons and thrown three passes, is set to make $2.1 million.
This is how the Cowboys used to treat the backup spot when Tony Romo was the starting quarterback.
In 2007-08, they had Brad Johnson as Romo’s No. 2, and he made $5.5 million. From 2009-11, it was Jon Kitna, and he made nearly $8 million. In 2012-13, it was Kyle Orton, and he made $7.25 million. Johnson was a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and took two different teams to the playoffs.
