The NFL offseason is like a high-stakes Texas Hold’em game—bluffing, bold moves, and hidden aces. Picture a former Cowboys coach, now calling shots in New Orleans, sneaks into Austin under Friday night lights (yep! You got that right, it’s Kellen Moore). Meanwhile, Jerry Jones tries to woo the same guy, eyeing a hometown hero who tossed 68 touchdowns in burnt orange.
The air smells like rivalry, ambition, and maybe a hint of smoked bacon. Let’s just say the Lone Star State isn’t big enough for all these egos. Cue the catastrophe.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers—a 6’2″ gunslinger with 3,472 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2024—is the hottest name on the pro-day circuit. And according to SI’s Albert Breer, Ewers dined with the Saints’ brass Monday night after meeting the Jets and Raiders. But the real twist?
Kellen Moore’s Saints and Jerry Jones’ Cowboys are now locked in a stealthy tug-of-war. “Just as newsworthy is what’s happening around Ewers’s pro day. The plan is for him to meet with the Jets and Las Vegas Raiders today and have dinner with the New Orleans Saints brass tonight, with all three teams expected to send big crews to Austin. He already has 30 visits set up with the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and Raiders for early April,” Breer reported. Let the games begin.
Sep 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) and teammates celebrate their win over Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Kellen Moore, the offensive maestro who once orchestrated Dak Prescott’s rise, knows a project when he sees one. Ewers’ 65.8% completion rate and 12 interceptions last year scream “raw talent.” But Moore thrives on molding rough diamonds. Remember, he turned Prescott into a MVP contender. Now, with Derek Carr’s future murky post-2025, Moore needs an heir. Ewers’ arm talent? Think Troy Aikman’s precision meets Brett Favre’s audacity. The Cowboys, though, aren’t folding.
Jerry Jones loves a Texas-sized story. Ewers, a Southlake native, could backup Prescott while learning from a legend. But local prospects don’t count against top-30 visits. Convenient. But Jones’ poker face hides desperation—Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are gone. Ewers isn’t just a prospect; he’s a PR touchdown. Meanwhile, the Saints aren’t just scouting QBs.
They’re building a fortress for Carr. And there you have Dillon Radunz, the Titans’ ex-guard signed Monday to bolster a shaky O-line. Why?
Moore’s Double Play: secure Carr, seduce Ewers
Radunz, the 26-year-old guard, brings positional flexibility after starting 15 games at right guard in 2024. His penalty count dropped from 11 to 6 last season, showing cleaner play. The Saints see him as a low-risk, high-reward piece to stabilize Carr’s pocket while eyeing long-term QB plans.
Carr was sacked eight times in 2024. Radunz, after slashing penalties, brings grit. He’s a Swiss Army knife. The plan? Protect Carr now; prep for Ewers later. New Orleans is playing 4D chess. By upgrading the O-line, they’re appeasing Carr while quietly courting Ewers. But then there are other prospects.
“I loved watching Drew Brees and [receiver Marques] Colston out there. It would be a dream of mine to play for them,” Cam Ward admitted after the Combine. Subtle? No. Strategic? Absolutely. Moore’s presence adds intrigue—his scheme made Justin Herbert a star. Imagine Ewers in a system that values quick reads and deep bombs.
But the Cowboys have history on their side. Since Roger Staubach, Dallas has bet big on homegrown QBs. Ewers’ 27-9 record at Texas mirrors Prescott’s college dominance. Jones knows this. So does Moore. It’s a showdown of legacy versus innovation. But in the end, this isn’t just about Ewers.
It’s about reinvention. Kellen Moore wants to prove he’s more than a play-caller; he’s a QB guru. Jerry Jones craves a storybook ending. And the Saints? They’re threading the needle between now and tomorrow. As former Longhorns coach Darrell Royal once quipped, “Dance with the one who brung ya.” But what if that dance partner has 68 touchdowns?
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