Would drafting a QB at 4 damage the locker room?

[DFWJC]

I preface by saying I think we should draft the best available QB at 4; we suffered the perfect storm last year to get this premier pick and we need to get a QB to stabilize the franchise and assure we don't have to go back to the Quincy Carter, Drew Henson, Chad Hutcheson days... that being said, how will the locker room leaders react to us drafting Romo's replacement when the team supposedly is a Super Bowl contender? Romo clearly won't be happy that we drafted his successor with a number of years and a lot of money left on his contract. Witten will not be happy that we did not get an impact starter when he only has a couple of years left in his career. Lee won't be happy that we did not get someone like Ramsey, Bosa or Jack that can help the D get off the field on third downs. The message of taking a QB at 4 that these players may take away is "we can't win it all now, so we're building for the future." And what happens if Romo's play starts to slip sooner rather than later? When does a QB controversy start? And will that divide the locker room? Remember, this is not a common occurrence: a team with a premier starting QB bringing on a very talented replacement QB while the starting QB is still playing well; the only time I can remember this dynamic in the modern NFL is Joe Montana-Steve Young. And how did that dynamic work out between the two of them? Again, I still take the QB at 4 for the good of the franchise (just like San Fran kept the dynasty going with Young), but I wonder if the FO thinks about these possible repercussions and how they factor in to the decision?

I don't think it would damage the locker room. They wanted to take a QB last year and this has been discussed with Romo--I mean the guy goes to basketball games with the head coach. He has never been known to be a liar and has publically said he's okay with it.
Still, as with 100% of all starting QBs that ever played (especially once who played at an MVP level their last full season), I'm sure he would prefer that they take a non-QB with the elite 4th overall pick, as that would help the team more in the short term and wouldn't accelerate the clock ticking to his retirement! That's human nature and also competitive spirit. But Romo is well known for not having an overblown ego. He'll accept it professionally.

I don't think any of these QBs this year would have been better backups than what we had last year...not as rookies. But it would've been nice to have had a rookie getting meaningful minute once the season was lost.

The media and fans will make it worse though. They already count any turnover he makes as 10x more important than any game-winning TD pass. Can't imagine how ugly it could get if he has one of his annual crappers.

As for Rodgers/Favre...well, GB spent less than half the value of a 4th overall pick to get Rodgers. He fell into their laps...they almost had no choice. Not the same thing.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

No...unless you are the media or fans who want to create a story.

The one possibility is if you bring in a QB who just happens to be a major league tool type attitude or has similar issues like Johnny Football.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I am hoping like crazy this does not happen, but what about if Romo goes down again early in the season? Would the locker room rather have another Brandon Weeden level player tossed out there for another lost season or would they rather see the future of the franchise line up behind center?

 

[Super_Kazuya]

I guess you didn't read the entire comment. He was comparing Young/Montana as the only ones that it has been successful. I was just pointing out that other teams have done . Mostly notably the Packers with Favre/Rodgers. I think that one turned out fine.

And I was pointing out to you that no, other teams have not done it. Young was acquired by trade, and cheaply. He was paid peanuts, not 20 million dollars to sit on the bench and do nothing... and not at the expense of adding a potential star at another position.
Rodgers was acquired cheaply (24 has a third of the value of 4) as well, and also paid peanuts. Those were smart moves. Drafting a backup that you hope doesn't play for 4 years would be immeasurably stupid.

 

[Stash]

Yes, it would.

Rodgers is incomparable because he was picked at #24. If we were to trade up from #34 to #24 for Lynch it would not harm the locker room. Goff or Wentz at #4 definitely would.

Ridiculous and totally bereft of logic.

 

[Stash]

Romo tosses his first INT of the year week 5 in a loss to drag us down to 4-1 while having a 112 QB rating (hypothetical situation, but not outside the realm of possibility if he plays like he did in 2014 after the 49ers game) people would be calling for his head. Jon ****ing Kitna was once a threat to Romo's job security not because of his actual skills but because of the anti-Romo bias lol.

False fabrication.

 

[conner01]

Well those players also need to understand that this is a business and like all good businesses you plan for the future so you won't get swallowed up by the past. Green Bay did it with Favre when they grabbed Rogers. It is what good franchises do.

I think most players are smarter than they get credit for. I suspect most, including romo knows a QB is a smart move. Witten is the last guy I worry about.

 

[Stash]

I preface by saying I think we should draft the best available QB at 4; we suffered the perfect storm last year to get this premier pick and we need to get a QB to stabilize the franchise and assure we don't have to go back to the Quincy Carter, Drew Henson, Chad Hutcheson days... that being said, how will the locker room leaders react to us drafting Romo's replacement when the team supposedly is a Super Bowl contender? Romo clearly won't be happy that we drafted his successor with a number of years and a lot of money left on his contract. Witten will not be happy that we did not get an impact starter when he only has a couple of years left in his career. Lee won't be happy that we did not get someone like Ramsey, Bosa or Jack that can help the D get off the field on third downs. The message of taking a QB at 4 that these players may take away is "we can't win it all now, so we're building for the future." And what happens if Romo's play starts to slip sooner rather than later? When does a QB controversy start? And will that divide the locker room? Remember, this is not a common occurrence: a team with a premier starting QB bringing on a very talented replacement QB while the starting QB is still playing well; the only time I can remember this dynamic in the modern NFL is Joe Montana-Steve Young. And how did that dynamic work out between the two of them? Again, I still take the QB at 4 for the good of the franchise (just like San Fran kept the dynasty going with Young), but I wonder if the FO thinks about these possible repercussions and how they factor in to the decision?

Neither the players or the coaches desires for self-preservation should have any bearing on the organization's draft choices. If it ever did, this team is much worse off than any of us have ever feared.

Any coach or player campaigning for the team to draft someone to save their jobs should be considered part of the problem and plans should be made to send that person packing as soon as possible.

The draft is about what is in the best interests of the organization for the long term, not what best suits any particular individual.

 

[Aven8]

Romo and the club would have no choice to get behind this move. First of all Romo's injury got us this fantastic pick. Secondly don't you think the rest of the team would be stoked to know if he goes down the season might not be over Like it was last year? Wouldn't Romo rather have a stud back there feeling in for 4 games that can play finally, and hold the fort until he comes back? It had to kill him last year holding the walkie talkie watching this crap!

Its a win win IMO.

 

[Dallas_Cowboys50]

I can't fault a man for respecting the talents of Daniel Day Lewis....

haha I dont fault him for that either, just for the cult of personality he's already built up for Wentz lol....

 

[Plankton]

No...unless you are the media or fans who want to create a story.

The one possibility is if you bring in a QB who just happens to be a major league tool type attitude or has similar issues like Johnny Football.