AP

Usually, having a quarterback you trust prevents you from ever being in position to take another one of similar status.

But after Tony Romo missed most of last year with a broken collarbone, the Cowboys realize that picking fourth in this year’s draft means they have to lean toward taking another quarterback in the first round, something they haven’t done since Troy Aikman.

“I mean you have to look at it,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “You’re not naive to it but if you have the opportunity in this league, in our situation, to get a potential franchise quarterback, then you have to make the investment. You have to have the patience. You sacrifice maybe that opportunity that maybe is impactful right now.”

They could clearly get an impactful player for the short term with the fourth overall selection, filling a need such as a pass-rusher or cornerback. But if Romo is well, they might not get a chance to land a high-caliber passer to eventually replace him, such as Carson Wentz or Jared Goff.

Jones said that Romo “may play three of four more years,” which would ostensibly keep the Cowboys out of the top of the draft order. So the opportunity to get one now may be something they can’t pass up, regardless of how long they think he might play.