Four different quarterbacks started for the Cowboys in 2015.

That’s never a good sign.

Tony Romo got the Cowboys off to a 2-0 start before missing the next seven games with a fractured distal clavicle. He returned and split his next two starts before fracturing the clavicle again and missing the remainder of the season.

Brandon Weeden was the first replacement. He put up decent numbers but lost all three of his starts and was released, winding up in Houston where he won a key game for the Texans in their unexpected playoff push late in the season.

Matt Cassel took over for Weeden, stepped aside when Romo came back then returned as the starter the second time Romo went down. He showed promise initially but his performance quickly deteriorated.

The veteran quarterback completed 58.3 percent of his passes and led all Cowboys quarterbacks last season with 1,276 yards. But he threw just five touchdown passes to seven interceptions and finished with a quarterback rating of 70.6

Cassel was the only quarterback to win a game in Romo’s absence, but that’s not saying much. He finished with a 1-6 record.

Kellen Moore, who had never thrown a pass in a regular season game, started the final two games for the Cowboys. He lost both, completing 68.6 percent of his passes in the process for 779 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Cowboys 4-12 record can’t be laid at the cleats of the team’s backup quarterbacks. But it’s a strong argument that the Cowboys must upgrade the position going into next season.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones has said the club intends to sign a veteran quarterback in free agency and look to select a quarterback in the draft it can develop. Look for the quarterback the club signs in the next few weeks to be the backup heading into the season.

On Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN

Possible targets

Washington Redskins quarterbacks Robert Griffin III, center, and Colt McCoy (16) greet wide receiver Rashad Ross (19) and running back Chris Johnson after Ross scored a touchdown in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) 09072015xPUB

Bottom line

Nov 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) rolls out to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter of an NFL game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys aren’t looking for a starter. They’re looking for a capable backup. Any quarterback signed in free agency knows he won’t be competing for a starting job, which limits the pool. That’s why when people speculate a certain quarterback from Washington will be on this roster soon, it’s much more likely to be Colt McCoy than Robert Griffin III. Ask yourself this: does RG III intend to sign with a team where he’s a certain backup, or is he at the stage of his career where he wants to compete for a starting job?

Notable

Matt Cassel led the Cowboys with 1,276 yards passing in 2015. That is the second worst total in franchise history. The only lower total came when Quincy Carter led the team with 1,072 yards through the air in 2001.

Need

3 out of 5 stars

On the roster

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) finds a hole in the Miami Dolphins defensive line during the second half Dallas' 24-14 win at Sun Life Stadium Sunday, November 22, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News) (The Dallas Morning News)

Series schedule

Feb. 28: Sean Lee can't do it alone at LB; team will be bargain shoppers looking for depth

Feb. 29: One of NFL's best offensive lines still needs one thing

March 1: Why improving D-line's pass rush is team's top offseason priority -- again

March 2: It's Morris Claiborne vs. Brandon Carr; Prince Amukamara possible

March 3: Five possible targets to pair with Darren McFadden for one-two RB punch

March 4: Terrance Williams' future with club will determine draft, free agency plan at WR

Saturday: Is now the time to prepare for eventuality of football without ironman TE Jason Witten?

Sunday: Tony Romo's the starter, but who is the backup and who is the future?