𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Leaked Trade Deal Between Cowboys and Browns Causes Fans on Both Sides to Erupt

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns had a similar 2023 season on paper. The Browns went 11-6 and were eliminated in the wild card round to the Houston Texans. The Cowboys went 12-5 and were eliminated in the wild card round to the Green Bay Packers.

Both teams will look different heading into 2024, however, both teams still have playoff expectations. Could the two be in business prior to the start of the season?

The Dallas Cowboys And Cleveland Browns Could Agree To A Surprising QB Trade

Cleveland quarterback Tyler Huntley throws during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK

It would seem that Cleveland has a good quarterback problem, which could be solved by trading an established NFL starter for a solid draft pick.

In Cleveland, both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley are vying for the QB3 job behind starter Deshaun Watson and backup Jameis Winston. In a recent ESPN article, Daniel Oyefusi argued that the fourth man on the depth chart could be traded for a useful draft pick:

“Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley both made final strong cases to be the Browns’ No. 3 quarterback,” Oyefusi wrote on Sunday, August 25.

“General manager Andrew Berry said he prefers to keep three passers on the 53-man roster, as long as all are deserving, and Cleveland has that luxury. Whoever doesn’t make it as the third quarterback could be a trade candidate before the cut-down deadline.”

Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round draft pick of the Browns in 2023, has been a preseason breakout player for the second consecutive summer. Huntley, a former Pro Bowler who started nine games and appeared in 20 for the Baltimore Ravens over the past four seasons, racked up 3 TD passes in the second half of Cleveland’s final preseason game Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Thompson-Robinson turns 25 years old in November and Huntley will play the upcoming campaign at 26. All things being equal, Huntley is the more likely trade candidate, as Thompson-Robinson was a pick of the Browns just one year ago and has an extra season of experience in the offense.

But given Huntley’s regular-season history and his preseason efforts this August, he should be able to command a Day 2 draft selection from an ostensibly QB-needy team like the Dallas Cowboys.

After Trey Lance’s five interception performance in Dallas’ pre-season finale, the Cowboys could be on the prowl for a new backup quarterback. Even after Jerry Jones guaranteed Lance would make the 53-man roster, it would be irresponsible of the Cowboys to not at least do some homework on a different backup quarterback.

Huntley would come in and bring real starting experience to Dallas’ QB room, something they could benefit from if Dak Prescott ever goes down due to injury.

Jun 4, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and quarterback Trey Lance (19) stand on the field during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports