When the cuts were announced on Tuesday in order for the Cowboys to narrow down their 53-man roster one thing was made clear: Cooper Rush won the preseason battle to be Dak Prescott's backup, at least for now. Ben DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert did not make the final roster.
But the Cowboys weren't the only team who let go of quarterbacks on Tuesday, and a number of those QBs were vested veterans, meaning that they have at least four years of experience and, more importantly, can sign outright with a team rather than having to clear waivers.
Considering Prescott is coming off of a significant ankle injury and didn't play a single preseason snap due to a shoulder strain, the front office will likely take a long look at the list of recently released quarterbacks to determine if any might be a stronger backup candidate than Rush.
The New England Patriots released two former starters at the position, including a former MVP in Cam Newton. The Buffalo Bills released a former North Texas high school standout in Davis Webb. 25-game starter Trevor Siemian is presumably already near the Cowboys' facility having just been released by the recently evacuated Saints and could potentially come in for a workout immediately, but reports suggest New Orleans plans to re-sign him.
Below is a full list of the veteran quarterbacks recently made free agents:
- Davis Webb (released by Buffalo)
Originally from Prosper, about 15 minutes away from The Star in Frisco. He has thrown 13 NFL touchdowns and rushed for three. - Garrett Gilbert (released by Dallas)
Spent all of training camp with the Cowboys. Lost backup quarterback competition to Cooper Rush. - Jeff Driskel (released by Houston)
Has thrown 13 NFL touchdowns, and rushed for three. Visited with the Cowboys over the summer. - Brett Hundley (released by Indianapolis)
Has been in quarterback rooms with Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, and Kyler Murray. Drafted by Mike McCarthy in Green Bay and worked out for the Cowboys this summer. - Brian Hoyer (released by New England)
Has started 39 career games. - Cam Newton (released by New England)
Won the NFL's MVP Award in 2015. - Trevor Siemian (released by New Orleans)
Was already in North Texas practicing with the recently evacuated Saints prior to his release. Reports claim the Saints plan to re-sign him. - Josh Johnson (released by New York Jets)
Was drafted into the NFL back in 2008. - Nate Sudfeld (released by San Francisco)
Was on the 2017 Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. - Ryan Griffin (released by Tampa Bay)
Was on last year's Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
