Finding themselves in need of a backup quarterback, Dallas Cowboys surprisingly decided to turn to Cleveland Browns. According to NFL Networks’ Tom Pelissero, the Cowboys are finalizing the signing of signal-caller Garret Gilbert off Cleveland’s practice squad.
Cowboys lost their starter Dak Prescott to a season-ending injury on Sunday, meaning that his backup Andy Dalton will start under center moving forward. Gilbert is now expected to be in the mix to back up Dalton.
It’s important to note that Gilbert won’t be immediately given the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Dallas also has rookie Ben DiNucci as part of their QB room and might give him a chance at some point.
Garrett Gilbert bounced around the league since becoming the Rams’ sixth-round pick in 2014, and the Cowboys are his seventh NFL organization. Gilbert saw the field in six games so far in his career and has completed two passes for 40 yards from six attempts.
Gilbert also spent time in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football, playing with Orlando Apollos. In eight weeks before the AAF ceased to exist, the 29-year-old quarterback led the league in passing yards with 2,152 while boosting a passer rating of 99.1 and throwing 13 passing touchdowns.
