The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a 12-4 season in which quarterback Tony Romo set career highs in completion percentage (69.9) and passer rating (113.2). Even though Romo is still playing at a high level, Dallas has already begun to cast an eye towards the future. Romo will turn 35 next month, after all, and has dealt with a litany of injuries over the years. That's why it's not a surprise that team owner and general manager Jerry Jones is looking for his heir apparent.
"It may not be next month. But in either this draft or the next, the Cowboys are likely to select a quarterback," David Moore of the Dallas Morning News wrote.
Don't worry, Cowboys fans, Romo isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Dallas has put together an impressive offensive line and has a preeminent wide receiver in Dez Bryant. The defense has holes but played well above expectations last season. This is a solid team that wants to contend, not work through the growing pains of a young quarterback. To do that, they'll have to keep Romo around. But eventually, his time will come.
"We do have to look to the future relative to quarterback," Jones said. "It's starting a time frame where a guy could come in and be a good backup.
"Look at how Romo evolved into the guy he is today. He did a little time with the clip board."
Unfortunately, the Cowboys don't have much experience drafting quarterbacks under Jones. Troy Aikman was a homerun, obviously, but the other three quarterbacks Dallas has drafted never really made a mark. Bill Musgrave (1991), Quincy Carter (2001) and Stephen McGee (2009) don't exactly make up a proven track record. Romo himself was an undrafted free agent.
Still, the Cowboys are apparently intrigued by Baylor QB Bryce Petty, who is considered by some to be the third-best quarterback prospect in the draft. Dallas QB coach Wade Wilson liked what he saw when he attended Baylor's pro day last week and the team has scheduled a private workout with him prior to the draft. Dallas also has a workout planned with Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason.
Are either of them the future face of the Cowboys' franchise? We'll just have to wait to find out.
