Cowboys Mulling Their Options At Backup QB

Jon Kitna, the backup for the past three seasons, retired last week

For the first time in three years, the Dallas Cowboys have a question mark behind Tony Romo on the depth chart.

Jon Kitna retired last week after spending the last three seasons as the Cowboys’ backup quarterback, leaving Stephen McGee as the team’s only quarterback after the starter Romo. The Cowboys have been pleased with the development of McGee, who is entering the last year of his contract, but it’s unclear whether Dallas is comfortable with him taking over as the team’s no. 2 at this point.

Head coach Jason Garrett, who, as the backup to Troy Aikman for years in Dallas, knows well the importance of having a solid backup, discussed the position on Thursday--saying that the team is still mulling its options as we move into the offseason.

It’s a very important position,” Garrett said, per ESPN Dallas. “As we all know you want to make sure you allocate the resources necessary to that spot. Jon Kitna was great for us the last three years. He had a chance to play last year and played really well for our team and was a real leader for our team. He’s retired now and in Seattle and enjoying life after football and we have to make a decision there. Stephen McGee has gotten some real good experience the last couple of years, playing in games and we’ll continue to evaluate his progress.

“We like what he’s done but it’s an important decision. We’ve got to make sure we have enough people for no other reason than guys get hurt and you better have a suitable guy who can go in there and play.”

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