Andy Dalton signs with the Dallas Cowboys

On Saturday, recently released quarterback Andy Dalton signed a one year deal with the Dallas Cowboys reportedly worth $7 million, according to Adam Schefter. Dallas is in need of a back up that could step in right away and Dalton would be a great fit. This also prevents the New England Patriots from getting a starting quarterback.

The move is clearly for depth reasons, before adding Dalton from free agency and picking up Ben DiNucci from James Madison in this year's draft, current starter Dak Prescott was followed by Cooper Rush and Clayton Thorson. If Prescott plays in 2020 then the deal means nothing.

Dalton would be a much-needed mentor to the four-year starter. Both took over as a rookie to hall-of-fame caliber quarterbacks on their way out, and both have had flashes of greatness but have failed to get over the hump one way or another. Dalton a seasoned veteran could be a mentor that the young Prescott needs heading into his fifth season.

Dalton is the backup to Prescott if the season happens this fall, but a move like this is going to spell trouble for Prescott if he does not come to an agreement with the Cowboys before the beginning of the season.

Prescott is currently looking for a contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys. He previously turned down a contract extension of $33 million per year for five years. He is looking for a contract like Russel Wilson of the Seatle Seahawks, Prescott wants more money from Dallas. If contract negotiations continue, Prescott will likely hold out through the season, though the question is if he is really worth more money.

Enter Andy Dalton, the three-time pro-bowlers spent nine years with the Bengals and has always been a reliable quarterback. Even this past year, where the team went 2-11 with him as a starter. This year he threw for 314 completions, 3,494 yards, and 16 touchdowns, all these stats are around his career average as a starter. He isn't a flashy quarterback, but the game manager Dallas needs to get over the hump and become a playoff-caliber team in a highly competitive conference.

Dalton will serve as a reliable back-up if Prescott plays in 2020. But in a scenario where Dalton starts because Prescott sits out hoping to get more money then there is a chance Prescott could lose his starting job. Dalton would have one of the best offensive lines protecting him, a phenomenal receiver core to throw to, a generational talent at running back in Ezekiel Elliot; all big improvements from what he had in Cincinnati. If Prescott sits out and Dallas is the revitalization Dalton's career needed then those contract talks are going to plummet for Prescott.

Both quarterbacks have been to about the same number of playoff games. Prescott is a good quarterback, but compared to Carson Wentz and Jared Goff. Prescott has yet to prove himself in clutch situations.

If you want to get on me for Wentz, look at the facts. Before a season-ending injury in 2017, Wentz was leading the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl and would have won Super Bowl MVP and league MVP that year. Also, in 2019, Wentz turned around a pretty grim beginning of the season to win the NFC East with a group of third-string back-up receivers. Also, both Prescott and Wentz have the same amount of touchdowns in the same amount of season but in fewer games for Wentz.

Prescott has not faced the adversity needed to garner a huge contract. If Prescott were to miss anytime and Dalton proves to be the elite caliber quarterback he has shown in the past, then I would be worried for my future in Dallas if I were Prescott. I don't think this is to leverage a less expensive if one isn't hashed out by the beginning of the season, it's to make sure that Prescott plays in 2020 to prove his worth and Dalton remains the back-up.