Josh McCown Reportedly a Target in Free Agency for Dallas Cowboys

There is a "mutual interest" between the Dallas Cowboys and free-agent quarterback Josh McCown, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.

Werder also reported, however, that the Cowboys have to resolve the Tony Romo situation—either by trading him or releasing him—before they can move on to potentially adding McCown, who would serve as a backup to Dak Prescott.

This isn't the first time the Cowboys have expressed interest in McCown. Todd Archer of ESPN.com reported that after Kellen Moore broke his ankle last year, the Cowboys inquired about McCown to serve as Romo's backup. The Browns reportedly demanded a second-round pick, however, and the deal fell through. 

McCown, 37, has appeared in 13 games for the Browns over the past two years, throwing for 3,209 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He would certainly add an experienced backup for Prescott and could serve as a valuable mentor for the 23-year-old, who lit up the NFL as a rookie and is the team's franchise quarterback of the future.

It would be a familiar strategy for the Cowboys, as Archer noted:

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If McCown is the Cowboys’ top target to be Prescott’s backup, it would fall in line with what the Cowboys did early in Romo’s tenure as their starter.

In 2007, his first full season as the starter, the Cowboys signed Brad Johnson, who was 39 at the time, but had plenty of starting experience and won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. In 2010, the Cowboys traded for Jon Kitna, who was 38 at the time, but had plenty of starting experience.

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Before the Cowboys make the move for McCown, however, they have to resolve Romo's situation. It's hard to imagine the Cowboys getting much for an injury-prone 36-year-old with a $24.7 million cap hit in 2017, $25.2 million in 2018 and $23.7 million in 2019, per Spotrac, making his release the most likely outcome.