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FRISCO, TX — This is going to be a column that's fairly succinct, and that's because, thankfully, the Dallas Cowboys do not have a problem at starting quarterback. Dak Prescott is back to full health and delivered 17 regular season starts in 2025, going on to have a record-setting season that included two 1,000-yard receivers, inclusive of a career year from George Pickens.
Things aren't exactly settled behind him on the depth chart, though.
From a free agency standpoint, there are three quarterbacks secured on contracts through 2026, With Will Grier re-signed on another one-year deal, he and Joe Milton III are both locked in at the moment. That means the question is a simple one for the Cowboys: do they want to add a veteran to stoke the fires of competition in training camp?
Welcome to this year's Open Market series (full series is inside the link).
What's Here
Joe Milton III: Acquired via trade with the New England Patriots in 2025, Milton has an undeniable cannon for an arm and the mobility and size to make him a bit of a nightmare to tackle in space. It is also true, however, that he needs more development in being consistently accurate on soft touch throws and, as such, there's as much of a chance he's capable of winning a game or two in the absence of Prescott as there is he'd cost the Cowboys a game or two. The potential is definitely there, but refinement is needed.
Will Grier: Unlike Milton, Grier has been in the league since 2019, a chunk of that combined time spent with the Cowboys, and that means he knows the ropes of how to compete for the seat behind Prescott. It's why Dallas opted to bring him back after they realized the Trey Lance experiment wasn't going to end well, and kept him around despite trading for Milton. Grier has shown what he can do in preseason, but hasn't been given that chance in a regular season game for the Cowboys; and that lack of stripes in September through December/January still lends to some inexperience.
What's Out There
Note: These players will be unrestricted on March 11, barring a newly-signed deal with their incumbent team prior to that date. (Market value, when available, provided by Spotrac)
Marcus Mariota: Truth be told, there's only one viable option I view for the Cowboys that combines veteran experience without being too far up the age hill while also commanding a fairly reasonable salary. He's 32 years old but has 82 starts and 104 games under his belt, and also provides the skill set Dallas is clearly looking for in a backup quarterback: mobile with some arm talent.
They could definitely do worse than the former Heisman Trophy winner and second-overall pick who some would view as an upgrade behind Prescott. (Market value: $4.8M annually)
