Recently, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott talked with David Mino and Justin Monty of 96.7 The Ticket to discuss his thoughts on this off-season among other topics.
Early on in the conversation, which was shared via the DFW sports station's Twitter account, Prescott was asked about whether or not this offseason felt any different than last year's.
First, he talked through the list of coaching staff changes and player additions that have occurred since the beginning of the year.
Then, he added:
“You're able to take now two 12-win seasons over into this one and build. First time in my career I can say I feel like consecutive seasons are building. Going back to 2021, we've been able to build. We built that year, and now we can build again. And I think that's the best real chance that you have of making it.”
By “making it,” one can only assume he's referring to accomplishing a the ever-elusive deep off-season run.
Or better yet, a championship.
IN RESPONSE…
When Jon Machota shared the quote via tweet, reactions from fans were mixed.
Some found it disingenuous. They claimed he that was just saying the “right” things as the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback and the face of the team.
Dak Prescott on @dfwticket on the Cowboys' upcoming season:
“You're able to take two 12-win seasons over into this one and build. It's the first time in my career I can say I feel like consecutive seasons are building. Going back to 2021, we've been able to build. We built that…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 21, 2023
Others definitely bought into the message. They, too, believe the team is building on back-to-back good, winning seasons and that recent changes can push the Cowboys over the hump.
But there were also several people who said something along the lines of, “He says this every year.”
Firstly, it's impossible for him to say this every year. This is the first time he's experienced consecutive 12-win seasons, so there's no way he's said or felt this before.
Secondly, even if you want to argue that the general message of growth and improvement is not a new one, that doesn't mean it's not an honest one.
The Dallas Cowboys, as a team, have improved each season over the past few years.
A simple anecdotal comparison of last offseason to this one reveals that Dak Prescott has a point.
LET'S COMPARE
During the 2022 offseason, there were:
- rumors of Sean Payton replacing Mike McCarthy before the 2022 season ended
- questions about the wide receiver room that went unanswered as the regular season began
- questions about the offensive line that also went unanswered
- concerns about the efficacy of a relatively inexperienced offensive coordinator
Going into the 2023 season, not only do we not hear whispers about Mike McCarthy being replaced, but his role has actually expanded.
And that role expanded due to the dismissal of an OC that did not inspire confidence in fans, and perhaps not in the team either.
According to Bryan Broaddus, the team is happy that Kellen Moore is gone. That doesn't happen with every fired coach, and it certainly doesn't happen for no reason.
Although there are questions about the offensive line, they're more like, “Who will go where?” as opposed to, “Do we even have someone to go there?”
As for those wide receiver questions, CeeDee Lamb has definitely answered any questions that existed about him. He's also shut down any rebuttals.
With the improved health of Michael Gallup and the addition of Brandin Cooks, the questions about the wide receiver room have gone from, “Does Dak have enough weapons?” to “Might the Cowboys carry six receivers on their roster this year?”
One more thing that can't be ignored is how many times we've heard different members of the Cowboys offense mention not being on the same page.
With Mike McCarthy getting everyone on the same page on top of all the improvements the team is experiencing, that definitely sounds like building off of prior success to me.
