Three games into the Brandon Weeden era in Dallas and it’s crystal clear he’s not the right man to hold the fort while the Cowboys await the return of Tony Romo. Thankfully, Jerry Jones had foresight to make a trade with the Buffalo Bills for Matt Cassel back on Sept. 22.
With the bye coming up, the Cowboys must abandon the Weeden project and prepare for a new run of a few games with Cassel as the signal-caller. Not doing so would be irresponsible, because it’s clear Weeden has significant limitations, as Jones himself has admitted.
During Sunday’s embarrassing loss to the New England Patriots, Weeden’s limitations were on display for all to see. He couldn’t connect on anything deep and finished with 188 yards passing on 26-of-39 attempts, which accounts for a pitiful 4.8 yards per attempt. The longest completed pass went for 21 yards to Cole Beasley.
Weeden has shown himself capable of completing a high volume of short passes, which is why his completion percentage doesn’t stink. But these numbers just won’t cut it for the Cowboys going forward.
After the game, head coach Jason Garrett admitted the team will now examine its options.
Jason Garrett will evaluate QB position before @Cowboys play @Giants on October 25. http://t.co/MKEP6qnjIf pic.twitter.com/XQHzrMe8kL
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 12, 2015
There shouldn’t be any debate about it, though. Sure, Cassel himself has limitations, but he’s a step above where Weeden falls when it comes to quarterback rankings.
Weeden, going back to his tenure with the Cleveland Browns, has now lost 11 games in a row as a starter. Regardless of any other circumstances, at some point you have to realize there is one thing that’s consistent. Weeden just isn’t an NFL starter, and he never will be.
At least with Cassel you have a tenured veteran who has been able to win 34 games. At least there’s a hope of winning maybe two or three games between now and Week 11, which is the first available game in which Romo can start after he was placed on the short-term IR.
Dallas has an easy decision to make. Weeden has his chance, and now it’s time for Cassel to step in and see what he can do.