The Landry Hat
Fansided

Ranking the Cowboys backup quarterback options from worst to best

By Jerry Trotta

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 25: Baker Mayfield #17 of the Los Angeles looks on during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 25: Baker Mayfield #17 of the Los Angeles looks on during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

1. Baker Mayfield

By no means is Prescott an injury-prone player. His most recent injuries — a dislocated ankle and broken thumb — were freak accidents. Having said that, he’s missed time in each of the last three seasons (one game in 2021), and it would behoove Dallas to have a plug-and-play backup waiting in the wings.

That’s where Mayfield comes in. You can argue he’s the best available second-tier free agent (Lamar Jackson, Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr, and Daniel Jones are in Tier 1) after a sparkling four-game stint with the LA Rams.

Mayfield could just as easily nab a starting gig as a bridge QB for a team in transition. Who knows? Maybe the Rams bring him back to backup the oft-injured Matthew Stafford. Whatever the case, Mayfield would immediately step in as one of the game’s top backups if he’s unable to secure a starting job.

Dalton might be the safer play, but Mayfield’s ceiling — as he showcased with the Rams — is the highest of this bunch by some margin.

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