New Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton knows that he is the backup to Dak Prescott, and understands it is Prescott’s team, but Dalton is ready to use his opportunity with the Cowboys to setup the second half of his NFL career, according to ESPN Todd Archer.
Dalton reached out to Prescott, via text, following his signing with the Cowboys to tell him he is ready to help in any way he can.
Dalton, 32, inked a one-year, $3 million deal, with incentives that could elevate that number to $7 million.
“My mindset is, I’m going to try to be the biggest asset to this team, try to help out this offense, help out Dak, help out everybody as much as I can,” Dalton said. “It’s a different perspective for me, since I’ve been a starter the last nine years, but I understand the position I’m coming into and the role I’m going to play.”
Dalton has spent his entire career starting for the Cincinnati Bengals, who released him after drafting quarterback Joe Burrow in last month’s draft.
“I believe I’m a starter in this league, and I feel like I could bring a lot to the table,” Dalton said. “I know I’m on a one-year deal; I understand the market’s going to be a little bit different next offseason. So for me, it’s just, I’m trying to set myself up and put myself in the best position for the second half of my career. So in weighing all the different options and things I had available, I felt like this was a perfect fit for me, and it’s going to set me up to do all that.”
Dalton lives in Texas.
“It’s very nice that it gets to be at home,” Dalton said. “Not having to learn a new place, not having to learn a new city, how to get around, all that kind of stuff. Just get to treat it like home. It’s definitely a luxury with this.”
Dalton has been sticking to a training schedule at home, and is ready to get to work whenever restrictions allow.
“I feel like I’ve got a routine with how I study the opponent and go about each week. Nothing is going to change with my preparation,” Dalton said. “I know the role that I’m in, but I’ve got to be ready to play. That’s one thing that you see across the league with backups. You’re only one play away from getting in there, so you’d better know what you’re doing. From a preparation standpoint, nothing is going to change. I’m preparing like I’m going to play each Sunday.”
