We should know by now that the Dallas Cowboys offense will look different in 2023, with Mike McCarthy calling plays.
How much different, may you ask? Dak Prescott expects the new look to have about a “20-30% change,” he told Yahoo Sports recently.
“I think if anything, it’s things that need to be changed,” Prescott said. Under Kellen Moore, Dallas was consistently ranked among the NFL’s top offenses in categories such as points and yards but had us scratching our heads at times.
After spending last season as a team consultant, Brain Schottenheimer was hired as the new offensive coordinator to replace Moore, even though McCarthy will be calling the plays.
“Sometimes change is good, Prescott said. “I’m a big believer in change, and I’m excited for Mike calling the plays.”
The west coast is the offense is what McCarthy brings to the table as a play caller.
This scheme is based on short, quick passes to try and stretch the opponents’ defense horizontally, which should open up for big plays down the field.
The offense heavily utilized the quarterback under center instead of the shotgun set we see running around the NFL today. It is play-calling that entailed a significant amount of three-and five-step drops out of primarily 21 personnel, which featured a running back and a fullback aligned as a split back.
We still have a way to go before worrying about what the playbook will look like. Heck, we are still trying to figure out what the roster will look like going into next season.
The Cowboys still need answers for Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott, and Dalton Schultz. Then worry about who will be the No. 2 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb.
Even with about a quarter change in the offense, they will trend toward the top again this season. You can’t convince me that they will fall off that much with a guy who has called his plays nearly every season he has been a head coach.
I was never a fan of Kellen Moore, anyway. So glad his second and long runs, or reverse end-around that would lose 10 yards, are a thing of the past.
We all understand Prescott isn’t Aaron Rodgers, but say what you wish. Prescott has had a lot of wins over the last couple of years. It is good that he is already on top of the possible offensive changes.
My thought on this will be that this is a make-or-break year for McCarthy. He is being handed complete control of everything. He could be on his way out if the team does not see results
Nonetheless, Prescott seems dialed in with the new changes that are about to happen.
This team has absolutely no more excuses. Moore is gone, and now it rides on the shoulders of McCarthy and Prescott. The window is closing, and the time is now for this group to get it done.
I would much rather see this team play in at least an NFC title game before they start to rebuild again.