The Dallas Cowboys did it yet again and Dak Prescott — with the season on the line and legitimate expectations for a Super Bowl run from smart people both inside the Dallas building and media/analysts from outside — believed this 2023 squad was different.
Why?
Prescott was in the discussion for NFL MVP this season and closed out arguably the best regular season of his career. The Cowboys entered the wildcard round matchup as two-score favorites over the Green. Bay Packers, who have a first-year starting QB and the youngest roster in the NFL.
Dak Prescott closed out the 2023 regular season ranked in the top five in several major categories for NFL QB. He came into Sunday’s playoff matchup against the Green Bay Packers with 4,516 yards (3rd), 36 touchdowns (1st), 9 interceptions and a QB rating of 72.5 (2nd).
Although some rolled their eyes when Jerry Jones and company decided to fire Kellen Moore at the end of last season — as he’s regarded as one of the up and coming young and brilliant offensive minds — head coach Mike McCarthy took over play calling and the Dallas Cowboys offense looked elite for the majority of the year.
Finally, Prescott and CeeDee Lamb found the perfect chemistry and emerged as arguably the top QB/WR tandem in the league.
Beyond Dak Prescott and the explosive offense that averaged 389 yards and 30 points per game and finished with 77 touchdowns in the regular season, the Dallas Cowboys had a defense that finished the season ranked 5th in the NFL.
After another disappointing early exit in the playoffs, the Dallas brass entered the offseason with more question marks than answers.
Now, the Cowboys have a massive decision to make with Prescott. Jerry Jones opted not to give him a contract extension after the season, so it’s likely Dallas let’s their franchise QB play out the final year of his current contract in 2024 leaving his future with the team uncertain.
Dallas Cowboys Predicted To Cut QB Cooper Rush
Beyond Prescott, the franchise also faces decisions on Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. With Lance’s cap hit increasing by more than $4 million this season compared to 2023, Rush’s future with the franchise remains uncertain.
The Athletic’s Jon Machota noted that Lance is expected to take over the backup quarterback role from Rush in 2024. The Dallas Cowboys insider believes Rush’s days with the franchise are numbered. Dallas only keeps Prescott and Lance while releasing Rush in Machota’s roster projections.
“The Cowboys are unlikely to keep three quarterbacks, so the backup job comes down to Lance and Cooper Rush,” Machota wrote in a July 3, 2024, article titled, “Cowboys 53-man roster projection: Trey Lance vs. Cooper Rush, decisions on the D-line.”
“While Rush is more accomplished in NFL games, the Cowboys are hoping Lance can show some of the upside that made him the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lance will get every opportunity to win the backup spot. He would have to look awful in camp and the preseason to not get the job.”
ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that the Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals were two teams who expressed an interest in Rush. Even if the Cowboys were able to net a late-round draft pick, it would be better than releasing Rush for nothing.
“After going 4-1 last season as the Dallas Cowboys’ starting quarterback while Dak Prescott recovered from thumb surgery, Rush was a hot commodity in free agency,” Archer detailed in an April 4, 2023, story titled, “Bad weather, a delayed flight and kismet? How Cooper Rush’s deal with Cowboys got done.” “He was flying to Las Vegas that day to meet with the Raiders, and the Cincinnati Bengals also expressed interest and hoped to set up a visit.”
Either way, it’s highly unlikely the Cowboys have Rush on the 2024 roster.
2 Comments
How can you cut your Best QB???
Trade Dax. He doesn’t have the drive or talent.