USA Today via Reuters
Nov 25, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks the game winning field goal against the Dallas Cowboys during overtime at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 25, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks the game winning field goal against the Dallas Cowboys during overtime at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
For the NFL franchises, Tuesday was as a monumental day as they slash their roster to a 53-man-lineup. But the Dallas Cowboys did not hold back in making headlines. Jerry Jones cuts off two QBs in the division, which makes Dak Prescott the Last Man Standing. The development could lift a new race among various QBs for the hottest backup seat in the NFL; with two veterans as the front runners.
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The Dallas Cowboys’ fallback spots remain vacant after the franchise released Will Grier and Cooper Rush. The team’s move may look uncanny, but it could mean they might peak into the trade and free agents market. Currently, the market has Jimmy Garoppolo and Colin Kaepernick as the most prominent choices. But who would have the upper hand?
Who is in the Dallas Cowboys’ fallback QB race?
If the Cowboys opt for Jimmy Garoppolo, the franchise would have a Super Bowl appearance-worthy backup to guard the fence if Prescott is out. According to ESPN, the quarterback’s contract has been altered to incorporate a no-trade and no-tag condition. But that doesn’t rule out the idea of him getting traded. It would imply that Garoppolo would have to participate in negotiations and agree to the deal. However, if his ghosting shenanigans continue, it could be a sign of concern.
Comp update: Jimmy Garoppolo’s one-year restructured deal is worth $6.5 million in base, fully guaranteed, per sources. He has another total of $500k in roster bonuses. He also has playtime bonuses that can boost it another nearly $9M. So, one year, $7M, up to just shy of $16M.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2022
If not Jimmy G, the second best option would be free agent QB Colin Kaepernick. The athlete has had a good — if not great enough time with the San Francisco 49ers. His overall statistics are good too, and it could be a match made in heaven. But Jerry Jones’ criticism of the athlete could give the ultimate answer.
Be it Kap or Prince Alladin, both are top choices. But it is yet to see if the Cowboys would make a move for any of them.
The Cowboys administration could bring back released stars
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Even though the team will only rely on Dak Prescott this season, they need a backup in an emergency. The Star Blue front might pull one of them back underneath the canopy, that being Cooper Rush.
Many of these moves by teams today are ways to work around the 53-man roster limit. In effect, they are going with 56-57-man rosters with how practice squad callups now work these days.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 30, 2022
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ESPN’s Todd Archer pointed out that the release is just a roster manipulation to prepare for the moves in the upcoming days. Many of the moves by the teams are attempts to circumvent the 53-man final roster. He also added that QB Rush could be back on the rush with a “wink-wink deal” and set the fallback options back in place.
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