Russell Wilson Trade To Cowboys Urged By PFT's Mike Florio

The Dallas Cowboys' first two preseason games left a lot to be desired, especially from the quarterback play with Dak Prescott backup Joe Milton showing growing pains adjusting to the system, his role, and increased workload in general.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer has affirmed that he is not pressing the "panic button" (how much can you really "panic" about a backup before it's needed, anyway?), but with Prescott's injury history in recent memory, Milton's lack of production may warrant some concern.

Will a move be made? Likely not, as Dallas will go at least a full year in this experiment after giving up a Day 2 pick for Milton in a trade. It would be the same timeline as Trey Lance (now playing better in L.A.), but ideally things work out better for Milton, Schotty and the team.

If push comes to shove - and especially if the Prescott insurance is needed down the line - something could be done via free agency or another trade. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio suggests it's a necessity, even with another preseason game still to be played where Milton could improve.

Options?

There are few in free agency. Florio names Carson Wentz and Ryan Tannehill as two experienced vets available, but as the reporter wonders about another prospect C.J. Beathard: "Could he be quickly groomed to serve as Prescott’s No. 2?" Milton has the upper hand based on familiarity over whoever signs externally.

How about a trade?

Here is where things get interesting, yet increasingly less believable.

"If they're going to do a deal, it would make sense to not roll the dice on an unproven commodity," Florio says. "It would make much more sense to call the Giants about Russell Wilson (a former Schottenheimer pupil), who’s destined to take a seat for Jaxson Dart. (And if not Wilson, how about Jameis Winston?)"

Sure, Winston, the New York Giants' QB3 at the moment, makes more sense. But trading for Wilson seems like a stretch. Russ is expected to be the Giants' starter in Week 1. Why would they trade him? And to a hated NFC East rival, no less?

"The Browns could be interested in shipping Kenny Pickett or even Joe Flacco to Dallas," Florio adds. Flacco, another projected starter in a Cleveland Browns room with more questions than answers? That's not happening. And at 40 years old, is he the best choice to back up a would-be injured Dak? No, thanks.

Pickett could draw some type of attention, as he seems like the most expendable piece if Cleveland wants to keep the investment in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

Florio concluded: "Regardless, it makes no sense to trade for another inexperienced quarterback with a potential upside [as Dallas did with Lance and Milton]. They need someone who has played plenty of football to be ready to play football if/when Prescott can’t."

Wilson has experience with Schottenheimer when the two were with the Seattle Seahawks, with Schotty orchestrating one of the league's best offenses as Russ cooked his way to stardom in the NFC.

The veteran quarterback is now in a different stage of his career. Yes, he remains serviceable ... and that's why he has a starting gig, right now at least, but that is enough indication that this wouldn't be a reality.

This Wilson idea is nothing more a brain exercise and doesn't take long to forget about.

Also, if Dallas were to bring in a veteran with as much or more experience than Prescott, what does that say about the teams' trust shown towards Dak and his injuries chances? And could there be a perceived knock against his ability to mentor younger backups after two failed projects and a change? That's all a different can of worms we don't need to get into.

May something will be in the works? It's certainly a possibility with two underwhelming preseason games down. For now, we expect the Cowboys to hold firm. This is a project after all, and projects don't get close to done without some trial and error, which is what preseason games are meant for.