Could Carson Wentz Really Land in Dallas? A Wild but Intriguing Possibility
It almost feels like a lifetime ago, but once upon a time Carson Wentz was supposed to be the guy in Philadelphia. Drafted to be the savior, he brought with him a wave of excitement and hope for the Eagles. For a while, it looked like he might actually live up to that billing. In 2017, Wentz had an MVP-caliber run—he was firing on all cylinders with 33 touchdowns in just 13 games, stacking up an 11-2 record before an ACL tear cut that dream season short.
Since then, though, it’s been a long, winding road. From losing his starting spot in Philly, to brief stints with the Colts and Commanders, to bouncing around backup roles with the Rams and Chiefs, Wentz has gone from being the face of a franchise to simply trying to stay in the league. Now, as a free agent with 94 career starts under his belt, his name is back in the rumor mill—this time linked to one of the Eagles’ biggest rivals: the Dallas Cowboys.
The Irony of It All
Imagine this for a second: the guy who once went toe-to-toe with Dak Prescott in one of the NFC East’s most hyped QB battles now suiting up behind him in Dallas. That’s the kind of storyline NFL fans eat up. The idea almost writes itself—Carson Wentz, once the Eagles’ golden boy, wearing a star on his helmet and backing up the very quarterback he was measured against for years. Talk about irony.
Sports Illustrated’s Randy Gurzi tossed Wentz’s name into the mix recently, listing him as one of three possible backup options for Dallas. His reasoning? Simple. Wentz has starting experience, playoff exposure, and—most importantly—he’s available right now. No trades, no big hurdles, just a matter of whether the Cowboys would be willing to take that chance.
Dallas’ Backup QB Dilemma
On paper, the Cowboys thought they had this figured out already. Trading for Joe Milton was supposed to give them a steady, young option behind Prescott. Problem is, training camp and preseason action haven’t exactly showcased Milton as the clear-cut No. 2. He’s flashed potential, sure, but consistency? That’s been missing.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer hasn’t made any official decision yet, but the fact that Dallas is still undecided this deep into the preseason says a lot. When you’re a contender like the Cowboys, “uncertain” is not a word you want floating around your quarterback room. And while nobody’s saying the team is in panic mode, the whispers about looking outside for help are getting louder.
That’s where Wentz comes in. He might not be the MVP hopeful of 2017 anymore, but he does bring something Dallas currently lacks—proven experience. If Prescott were to miss time, do you want to hand the offense to a young, untested arm, or to a guy who’s started nearly 100 games in the NFL? That’s the type of question front offices wrestle with in August.
Revisiting the Wentz-Prescott Rivalry
It’s easy to forget now, but the Wentz vs. Prescott debate used to be one of the hottest in football. Eagles fans swore Wentz was the future, Cowboys fans doubled down on Dak, and for a while, it really did feel like a legitimate rivalry. Prescott’s steady play and leadership eventually pulled him ahead, while Wentz’s injuries and inconsistency dragged him back. But rewind to 2017, and the conversation was a lot closer than people remember.
That year, had Wentz stayed healthy, he might’ve walked away with the league MVP. Instead, his injury opened the door for Nick Foles to deliver a Super Bowl title to Philly, and Wentz never fully reclaimed his footing. Prescott, meanwhile, has remained the face of the Cowboys, guiding them to multiple playoff appearances and cementing his place as one of the NFC’s top quarterbacks.
So if Wentz were to land in Dallas now, the storyline would be less about rivalry and more about redemption. He wouldn’t be coming in to compete with Dak, but to support him—and maybe, just maybe, get a second chance if the opportunity arises.
What Makes Wentz a Fit for Dallas?
Let’s break it down:
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Experience: Nearly 100 career starts isn’t something you find every day in a backup.
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Availability: Wentz is a free agent. No draft picks, no negotiations, just a phone call away.
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Upside: While his prime may be behind him, Wentz still has the arm strength and size to step in if needed.
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Motivation: At this stage of his career, Wentz isn’t chasing MVP votes. He’s chasing stability and a shot to stick around.
Of course, there are concerns. His decision-making has been questioned, turnovers were an issue in both Indy and Washington, and health is always a factor. But for a Cowboys team that just needs a reliable safety net behind Prescott, the pros might outweigh the cons.
Why This Story Has Legs
The NFL is all about drama, and nothing adds spice quite like former rivals crossing over to enemy territory. Think about Brett Favre in a Vikings jersey, or Emmitt Smith finishing his career with the Cardinals. It’s jarring, it feels wrong, but it also makes for unforgettable headlines.
For Eagles fans, seeing Wentz in Dallas colors would sting a little—even if his best days are behind him. For Cowboys fans, the reaction would be mixed: some would see it as a smart insurance policy, others would roll their eyes at bringing in a former rival whose career has fizzled out. But that’s exactly why this idea keeps popping up. It’s too fascinating to ignore.
The Bottom Line
Right now, nothing is set in stone. The Cowboys haven’t openly shopped the market, and Wentz hasn’t been linked to any team in particular. But if Joe Milton doesn’t lock down the backup spot soon, Dallas may not have the luxury of standing pat.
Would Carson Wentz in a Cowboys uniform be strange? Absolutely. Would it make sense in the unpredictable, drama-filled world of the NFL? You bet.
Because here’s the truth: backup quarterbacks don’t win you Super Bowls, but the wrong backup quarterback can cost you one. If Dallas truly believes this is their year, they need to make sure their insurance policy is rock-solid. And right now, Carson Wentz might just be the most intriguing policy available.
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