IRVING, Texas -- A week ago we brought up the backup quarterback subject and wondered how the Cowboys will approach that spot in 2012 with Jon Kitna retiring and Stephen McGee entering the final year of his contract.

On Thursday, Jason Garrett was asked about the possibility of bringing in a veteran backup.

“It’s a very important position,” Garrett said. “As we all know you want to make sure you allocate the resources necessary to that spot. Jon Kitna was great for us the last three years. He had a chance to play last year and played really well for our team and was a real leader for our team. He’s retired now and in Seattle and enjoying life after football and we have to make a decision there. Stephen McGee has gotten some real good experience the last couple of years, playing in games and we’ll continue to evaluate his progress. We like what he’s done but it’s an important decision. We’ve got to make sure we have enough people for no other reason than guys get hurt and you better have a suitable guy who can go in there and play.”

Chicago found out the hard way after losing Jay Cutler to an injury. Kansas City’s hopes faded after Matt Cassel got hurt and led them to Kyle Orton, whom the Cowboys also claimed on waivers.

Orton will be an unrestricted free agent and the most interesting possibility, however, he could get the chance to be a starter somewhere else (maybe even the Chiefs), which would hurt the Cowboys’ chances of going after him.

The other free-agent names are less palatable (Jason Campbell, Shaun Hill, Brady Quinn) but Garrett’s history here has shown he prefers the veteran. Brad Johnson was 39 when he came to the Cowboys in 2007. Kitna was 37.