Troy Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, now thinks Dallas will bring in either Johnny Manziel or Robert Griffin III to be Tony Romo’s backup in 2016.
“I believe, as I sit here today, either Johnny Manziel or Robert Griffin III will be in Dallas as a backup,” Aikman said, via SI.com.
Neither Manziel or Griffin III are currently available for owner Jerry Jones and the Cowboys to sign. Manziel is under contract in Cleveland, while Griffin III is still a member of the rival Redskins. However, both are expected to be available at some point this offseason, with new Browns coach Hue Jackson wanting to move on from Manziel and Washington likely to release Griffin III.
Returning home and playing for the Cowboys would be a natural fit for both embattled quarterbacks.
Manziel and Griffin III achieved fame as Heisman Trophy winners for schools in Texas; Manziel at Texas A&M in 2012, and Griffin III at Baylor in 2011. Both were first-round picks, but neither has been able to live up to the billing in the NFL.
Manziel has made more headlines off the field than on it, while Griffin III saw his promising start derailed by injuries and coaching changes.
Dallas could certainly use a talented backup quarterback next season.
The Cowboys struggled without Romo in 2015, finishing 4-12 just one year after winning 12 games. Romo broke his collarbone twice and played in just four games, and the Cowboys couldn’t steady the ship with Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel or Kellen Moore.
Manziel and Griffin III are talented but unrefined quarterbacks who would be given a chance to develop further under Romo, who turns 36 in April. If either of the two showed progress as a backup in Dallas, it’s possible the Cowboys could turn to Manziel or Griffin III as the team’s starter after Romo.
The team would first need to acquire one of the quarterbacks.
The radical idea isn’t so far-fetched anymore. Aikman—who remains connected with Jones and the Cowboys—thinks it’s possible, if not probable.
