Dallas Cowboys' Backup QB Brandon Weeden Makes ‘Big Jump’ In Offseason

Some positive news out of the Dallas Cowboys camp: Quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson has declared that back-up QB Brandon Weeden has improved a lot this offseason. “I think he’s probably the most improved player,” Wilson told ESPN. Weeden is entering his second season with the Cowboys.

“He just has a great understanding of the concepts, of the protections, calling the plays. All those things. He’s made a big jump this year,” Wilson continued.

Weeden said he appreciated the comments of his QB coach, and added that he has been working hard in the offseason -- and it’s translating to good play on the field. “Now I can really fine-tune what we’re doing because I’m not having to go home to study for three hours just learning plays and calling plays and doing all that,” Weeden said in the same article. “Now I can out and fine tine what I want to do, work on reading defenses, work on understanding everything versus just making sure I don’t screw the first part of it up.”

Weeden, who played for the Cleveland Browns in 2012 and 2013, is the primary backup for starting quarterback Tony Romo. The Cowboys reportedly looked at other veteran QBs in the free agent market but decided that Weeden can handle the backup role and be ready if Romo suffers an injury or misses some games in the upcoming season.

Dallas offensive coordinator Scott Linehad confirmed Weeden’s “great offseason,” saying that playing in the same system for two years in a row helped the 31-year-old.