The Cowboys’ slide has known as into query their offseason choices, with Jerry Jones‘ inactivity on the middle of many discussions. The longtime proprietor did finally pay his two contract-year standouts, nonetheless, however the offers for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have preceded a 3-5 file.
This case might nicely worsen quickly, as Prescott’s hamstring damage is predicted to sideline him. Assessments have revealed the problem to be worse than initially suspected, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, who report a multi-week absence is on faucet for the ninth-year quarterback. Though Prescott will search a second opinion, Rapoport adds, a minimum of a short-term absence needs to be anticipated.
Jones had mentioned he was frightened about Prescott’s availability for Dallas’ Week 10 matchup in opposition to Philadelphia, and the reigning MVP runner-up went by means of an MRI Monday.
Prescott broken his hamstring on a scramble in opposition to the Falcons, per AllDLLS.com’s Clarence Hill, however visibly aggravated it throughout a subsequent go try. It’s not but identified if IR is in play, although committing to Prescott lacking 4 video games could be a threat because of Dallas’ early season struggles.
The damage moved two-stint Dak backup Cooper Rush into motion, as the previous UDFA changed Prescott as he did in 2022 throughout the starter’s time away because of a finger damage. Rush is the Cowboys backup, however EVP Stephen Jones opened the door to some Trey Lance work (via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris) as nicely. Lance joins Justin Fields, Zach Wilson and Mac Jones as 2021 first-round QB draftees in contract years as reserves. Wilson and Lance, the Nos. 2 and three picks that yr, respectively, entered the season as third-stringers.
After it regarded like Prescott would go right into a contract yr, the Cowboys finalized a deal hours earlier than their Week 1 kickoff in Cleveland. Prescott’s extraordinary leverage led to a $60M-per-year extension that included the no-tag and no-trade clauses his second deal — which additionally got here with the QB in a novel leverage place — ended up together with.
This got here after the Cowboys made Lamb the NFL’s second-highest-paid large receiver. Whereas accidents elsewhere have harm this Cowboys version, the Joneses have acquired scrutiny for not doing extra so as to add expertise elsewhere. These bills additionally got here months earlier than true Micah Parsons extension negotiations are anticipated to start.
Prescott, 31, has bounced again from absences earlier than. He finalized his first Dallas extension — 4 years, $160M — after a season-ending ankle damage.
Dak returned and didn’t miss a begin because of damage for the 2021 Cowboys, although he admitted this offseason that his ankle damage has continued to have an effect on him and requires common upkeep. Following the finger concern, Prescott returned in that October and has not missed a begin since. That streak is predicted to cease at 36 video games, introducing extra obstacles for a struggling Cowboys squad.
Final yr’s second-team All-Professional passer, Prescott, sits twenty fifth in QBR this season. The Cowboys introduced down his historic cap hit this yr however are tied to the previous fourth-round discover by means of a minimum of 2027 now.
Prescott is due a $47.75M base wage in 2025, and the Cowboys might want to alter his cap quantity — pushing extra money into future years — because of it at the moment residing at $89.89M. Even the Browns’ Deshaun Watson contract/calamity doesn’t enter that neighborhood when it comes to cap hits. The Cowboys will hope Prescott bounces again, however he acquired super safety in September.
Lance receiving work would symbolize probably the most fascinating element right here, as he has gone from a 2022 49ers Week 1 starter to an afterthought. Sam Darnold beat out Lance to again up Brock Purdy in 2023, resulting in the Cowboys giving up a fourth-round decide for the previous North Dakota State star. Lance’s profession rapidly drifted off observe, and the ankle fracture he suffered in 2022 moved him to a crossroads.
No actual updates have modified that standing, regardless of a rumor indicating Lance might leapfrog Rush for the QB2 gig. That didn’t find yourself occurring. The Cowboys might definitely take into account going with a higher-upside play relatively than Rush, although the latter has seen in depth work in Mike McCarthy‘s offense and provides extra stability.
At 3-5 and in a lame-duck yr, McCarthy will lean towards stability over improvement. Nevertheless, it will be fascinating if possession overruled him — given the HC’s contract standing — on a possible play to see what Lance can contribute.
