The Cowboys are in the midst of a truly disastrous campaign, entering their bye week at a pitiful 2-7. Just about everything that could’ve gone wrong has gone wrong, including a devastating injury to quarterback Dak Prescott. Team EVP Stephen Jones spoke to the media today, and fortunately he had some positive news about Prescott. Jones revealed the signal-caller had avoided any infections in his leg, a distinct and scary possibility with any compound fracture, like we saw with Alex Smith. Jones also declared that Prescott was “ahead of schedule” in his recovery.
That’s all fantastic news, and of course all of us here at PFR continue to hope that’s the case. As for the future, Jones was asked about the possibility of the Cowboys drafting one of this class’ top quarterbacks assuming Dallas has an early pick, which looks likely at this point. Jerry’s son shot down any such speculation, reiterating that “Dak’s our quarterback” and saying “we’re fired up about our future with Dak.” Prescott is of course set to be an unrestricted free agent, and his contract situation is arguably the biggest story of the rapidly approaching NFL offseason.
Here’s more from Dallas:
- Speaking of shooting down speculation, Jones clearly wanted to tamp down any talk about Mike McCarthy’s job security. “Absolutely. Unequivocal,” Jones responded when asked whether McCarthy will definitely be back as the team’s head coach in 2021. When he was hired it would’ve been hard to imagine he could be a one and done, but there have already been reports of dysfunction in the locker room and McCarthy potentially losing the team. The Jones family has been steadfast in their commitment to him however, and this is about as firm as one can get.
- Former AAF star Garrett Gilbert came off the bench as the Cowboys’ fourth starter at quarterback this season and almost led them to an improbable upset over the Steelers Sunday, but it doesn’t sound like he’s on the verge of getting the full-time starting job. “When he’s cleared, we fully expect him to step in as our starter,” Jones said of Andy Dalton, who has been dealing with a concussion as well as COVID-19. Dalton struggled mightily through one and a half games before getting hurt, and since the team has no real long-term commitment to him it wouldn’t be surprising if they went back to Gilbert before too long if Dalton plays poorly again out of the bye. Gilbert didn’t exactly light it up, but he moved the offense competently against one of the best defenses in the league. For his part, Jones insisted the team still feels like they’ve got a shot to win the lowly NFC East.
Dak has the power in Dallas. He can literally say ‘I won’t sign a franchise tag or long term deal if Mike is still the HC’. Mike has lived off Farve and Rogers long enough. He can’t coach; its pretty clear.
I agree McCarthy is garbage but Prescott is already asking for a huge deal financially I don’t see him trying to leverage for anything else. But one hundred percent agree he needs to go
The Cowboys would be better off without both McCarthy and a crippling contract for their QB. Dak can rebuild elsewhere if he’s not willing to offer reasonable terms. His package after major injury should be lower per year with lower guarantees. Dak gambled and lost. If Jones overpays Dak, the Jones family have lost control of the players for good (it will take at least five or six years to re-instill respect in the players, Jerry may not even see it).
Well said. Let Dak go steal from some other team. Cowboys will have a high enough pick to draft there future QB and in a rookie contract
I agree…I love Dak but this team need help all over the D. If you land the number one pick take Lawrence and let Dak walk. If not you keep Dak on a franchise tag to see how he returns or maybe a lower value long term deal
Daks play isn’t the issue it’s his pay. Fields is more suited for the Cowboys he is a clone of Dak and he would get paid a quarter less and by the time it would be to sign him the cowboys will shed off some of the big contracts they have.
I agree
When Stephen Jones appears on the Jumbotron, I hope the crowd chants- “EVP! EVP! EVP!”
I’d rather see a 4-3 DC come in next year than to see McCarthy get the boot.
I agree, McCarthy is in some sense getting too much blame. However, he is the one who began to transition from a mostly competent 4-3 to a totally disastrous 3-4.
The Cowboys just don’t have the right personnel for that kind of system (and have played nearly the direct opposite of that in the recent past). Either McCarthy needs to stay completely hands off on defense and ignore it (not completely likely, given his already attempting to change it), or Dallas will need to rebuild on that side of the ball. Hard to do that in the timespan of their offensive window on the other side.
Dallas will definitely be picking defenders in the draft, but which defense will be they for? If you keep McCarthy for his career accomplishments and what they lend to the team’s mindset, you must accept that his preferences on defense will mean a painful transition there. Tough decision, but I think the Cowboys are betting that those injuries are a bigger reason for the terrible start than McCarthy’s coaching.
McCarthy isn’t the problem, Nolan is!
Cowboys should really be 1-8, lucky for them they played ATL
Get well soon Dak
I tend to think Jerry Jones is the real problem.
Nolan isn’t the blame the Jones are a 4-3 defense cannot turn into a 3-4 over night, our LBs aren’t fast enough and our DT needs to move people and he didn’t.
Jerra doesn’t care about winning. He just wants everyone to know “ the ole nose picker “ is in charge. What an EGO. They will never win with him a GM/OWNER or whatever he calls himself. The JJ days are GONE
Dak overplayed his hand, sucks that he got hurt though. If they give him that deal he wants out of pity then everyone else may as well get hurt too
How can he knew it wouldn’t have happened, not his fault? Sucks. He will be fine maybe jets get him!?!?
Depends on where they end up in the draft. If they’re 2nd pick. Daks gone. They have to basically rebuild the oline, dline, and get a secondary. And Zeke is on the decline, cut after 2022 bc of the cap. Use the Dak money to keep Gallup around, albeit at a cheaper clip with his lackluster play.
Looks like the Cowboys trying to get Fields from the Giants
Basically. Race to #2.
This team is too talented for a rebuild. I’d argue the best receiving corps they’ve ever had. Dak was going to have a record year. I think we overpaid for Demarcus Lawrence and Zeke. Those two salaries are monsters when Aldon Smith is making peanuts and making more noise than DLaw. Tony Pollard is crazy underrated and I think drafting another RB early and keeping Dak might be the answer. On the other side of the ball, the defense definitely needs addressed. These two bargain safeties are trash and we need another good young corner to pair with Diggs. Maybe that’s a healthy Awuzie I’m not sure. Too early to tell on the coaching. Nolan’s D doesn’t look good at all, Moores offense was rolling with Dak, but clearly not fitted for a Dalton. Special teams is vastly improved over recent years. Keep that guy around.
Trade Dak to the Patriots for their first round pick. Now you have two top ten picks to kick start your rebuild.
There is no way Dallas trades Dak no matter what happens in the draft
Cowboys should draft Trevor Lawrence if given the chance regardless of how well Dak is progressing.