Cowboys Trade Idea: Draft Michael Penix Jr. and Cut 'Pissed' Dak Prescott?
FRISCO - We are obviously spitballing here, all along with the idea that the Dallas Cowboys are committed to a long-term future with quarterback Dak Prescott.
But what if?
A viable collection of options for Dallas is to extend Prescott (as has been the plan) while also working to develop Trey Lance, the No. 3 player taken in his NFL Draft.
Looked at through that prism? The Cowboys have an MVP candidate as the No. 1 QB, and along with backup Cooper Rush, has a blue-chip prospect working behind him.
Or ... what if Dallas - again, USA Today is clearly spitballing here, and that's OK - the Cowboys engineer a draft-day trade ... one that actually sees them trading back from the No. 24 overall pick ... while still netting them a first-round pick to use on a theoretical "franchise QB successor'' in Michael Penix Jr.?
Penix and Prescott
We won't get into "our scouting report'' on the Washington QB; we're not scouts. Rather, we'll evaluate what USA Today concedes would be "the fallout'' of such a move.
Prescott would become nothing more than a "bridge.'' As the outlet writes, "More than likely, Prescott plays out the final year of his deal, and then Dallas hands the reigns over to Penix in 2025.''
USA Today even speculates that "perhaps the selection pisses Prescott off to the point that he not only considers waiving his no-trade clause, but demands it. Dallas could then shop Prescott, coming off a top-3 MVP candidate season, for a bounty of picks.''
And one more speculative concept: What if Dallas just "cuts Prescott and "decides to roll with Penix''?
We'll say these three things in response. ...
1) The issues involved in a "Dak cut'' - as everybody knows - represent cap suicide.
2) A locker room that includes Prescott and Penix would be ... an awkward one. (That is to say, a "more awkward one,'' given the present "Bro, Bro, Mama Drama'' involving players' relatives.)
3) All of this is based on the idea that Michael Penix Jr. is "better than Dak,'' and maybe even "better than Dak'' in Penix' rookie year. The odds on that bet are low. ... indeed we wonder how, if Penix is "better than Dak,'' why is the NFL (per this scenario) allowing him to fall to Dallas' proposed trade-back spot at No. 31?
