Could the Cowboys lose Andy Dalton to a NFC East rival?

Could the Dallas Cowboys lose Andy Dalton this offseason after a job well done?

Three weeks ago, the Dallas Cowboys were dead in the water. Now they’re a win and a loss away from potentially representing the NFC East in the postseason.

Despite the up and down career that has plagued the red-headed wonder, Andy Dalton has saved the Cowboys’ playoff hopes. During the team’s three-game win streak, the 32-year-old has been the nucleus of an offense averaging 36 points a game in that stretch.

Dalton has thrown for 377 yards and seven touchdowns against one interception in that span. That alone will entice some teams to bite.

The Cowboys will enter the offseason at an impassion. Dak Prescott has proven his worth as the franchise man, but if the team cannot agree to terms, that’ll lead to another franchise tag. This time, Jerry Jones will be paying $38..5 million for No.4’s service.

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Should the Cowboys keep Prescott, Dalton should be a hot commodity on the market. Much like Teddy Bridgewater in 2020, the former Bengals star should offer stability during a team’s rebuild.

One team though does make plenty of sense for Dalton even if they make the postseason. It might sting for the Lone Star native, but the Washington Football Team offers him the best chance as more than a rental.

Should Dalton head to the D.C. area?

Washington needs to win on Sunday to keep their postseason hopes alive. Following the benching in a loss to the Carolina Panthers, Ron Rivera announced the team had cut former first-rounder Dwayne Haskins.

Alex Smith has done his part to lead the nameless football squad to relevance. Should he have played the entire year, perhaps the division would have at least one team above the .500 mark. Defensively, Washington is set up to be successful for years to come, primarily because they possess one of the league’s best front-sevens.

The problem is the depth of weapons. Terry McLaurin is a rising sensation who’s set to finish with his first 1,000-yard season. Antonio Gibson made headlines as a third-round pick, looking to be the lead runner entering 2021. Tight end Logan Thomas posted career numbers as well.

Outside of that? Little to nothing.

The 2021 NFL Draft class has exponential talent at the wide receiver position, including LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, Alabama’s DeVonta Smith and Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman. Other names such as Florida’s Kyle Pitts or Kadarious Toney also would be gems should they make the postseason.

Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence is a safe bet under center. The rest of the prospects aren’t. Washington doesn’t have the firepower on offense for a mid-round quarterback to take control right away.

And after another injury, Smith’s time on the football field has reached its incredible end.

Washington could make a play at Prescott or go after Dalton and draft someone to sit and learn. With some money to spend in free agency, Washington should add another target in the passing game and at least offer Dalton a shot to start once more.

Dalton has proven he can hold his own on an average team. A win Sunday should make him a full-time starter again somewhere in 2021.