Depending on who you talk to, Dak Prescott is a bit of an enigma right now as a professional quarterback in the NFL. Some people believe he is already the Dallas Cowboys franchise QB, while others still need to see more from him before he gets anointed with that title. It’s a debate right now with no clear answer, which is why Year 3 will be a big season one way or another for the young QB.
I don’t know where you personally stand on this topic, but I think I’m a little on the fence. I like Dak Prescott, but I would like to see more consistency from him than I’ve seen so far. As a rookie he was simply fantastic, but last season he seemed to take a step back. That may not be entirely his fault, but before I anoint him as Dallas’ franchise QB, I would like to see someone who can carry this team when the chips are down.
With all of this rolling around in my mind, I started wondering what would happen if Dak Prescott isn’t the Dallas Cowboys franchise QB? What would that mean for the Cowboys moving forward and what would be the ramifications in the short term?
Obviously, nothing good would come if Dak Prescott isn’t the real deal. But, let’s dive into this little deeper. Below are a few of the short-term ramifications I think would happen if Prescott falters this season.
Jason Garrett Gets Fired
I think the first thing that would happen if Dak Prescott fails to become the Dallas Cowboys franchise quarterback is Jason Garrett would likely be fired as the head coach. We all know that Garrett is walking on thin ice right now with the Cowboys, so how the team performs in 2018 probably correlates with his job security.
Garrett went all in with Prescott in 2016. At first he didn’t have much of a choice because his options were limited when Tony Romo was hurt in preseason and again when Kellen Moore sustained his untimely injury. But, he decided to stick with the rookie all season, even when Romo returned. You can’t really fault him for that decision, but it definitely impacted the future of the organization.
I think as Prescott’s 2018 season goes, so does Garrett’s. Garrett’s head-coaching job may not entirely depend on Prescott’s success this season, but it could have a huge impact on whether or not his coaching career continues in Dallas.
New QB Search Begins
Again, if Dak Prescott proves to not be the long-term franchise QB, the Dallas Cowboys once again have to try and find someone who is. We all know how long it took them to replace Troy Aikman, and I doubt any of us want to live through that nightmare again.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to believe that either Cooper Rush or Mike White are the long-term answer right now. Neither have really proven anything in the NFL and no one is really for sure if they can even be successful as Prescott’s backup this season. There is more questions surrounding them then No. 4.
To makes matters worse, there aren’t a lot of veteran QBs around the league they can snatch up. Even if there were, that would likely be a short-term solution. The best way to find a franchise QB is to draft one. But, the Cowboys aren’t likely going to have a draft pick high enough to select one of the top QB prospects. That means they would have to move up in the draft, which would require a lot of draft equity. Even then, nothing is guaranteed.
Cowboys Take Giant Step Back as a Franchise
If Dak Prescott is indeed a bust, this would severely set back the Dallas Cowboys as a team and franchise. This may be a young team, but they are built to win a championship relatively soon. They have all of the pieces to do so, if Prescott is the real deal.
They have one of the best offensive lines and running backs in the league, but without a quarterback to operate the offense, it means diddley squat. That’s why the quarterback position is arguably the most important one in the NFL. It’s why they are drafted so highly and paid an extraordinary amount of money.
This would really set the coaching staff back as well. Like I mentioned earlier, Jason Garrett and his coaching staff would likely be looking for another job, which means an almost entirely new set of coaches would be coming in. Unfortunately, new coaches rarely succeed right away in the NFL. It takes them a few years to not only put their system in place, but to get their players to buy into it as well.
“What if, What if”??, Last time i checked Tony Romo was a franchise qb, and how far did that get us(Just ONE playoff win in 12 seasons) Enough Said!!
When Romo was carrying this team until his body literally gave out on him, and he won 2 playoff games
I apologize, TWO playoff wins for the “franchise qb” I forgot about the Lions game the referees gave us
On the fence?!? Such a prisoner of the moment. I didn’t hear this coming from philly fans after Carson Wentz extremely mediocre 1st season or even from LA fans with Goff and those guys are 1st rd picks. Truth is, there isn’t a fence. You just don’t want Dak to be the cowboys QB. This guy use words such as a bust?!? How can a 4th rd pick, last QB of his draft class selected, on a rookie contract, that we used a comp draft pick on be a bust?!? He literally can’t, stop it man. Also I’m tired of this he took a step back nonsense. He (and the entire offense) struggled towards the end of the season last year true but I wouldn’t call 2017 a washed season. He actually got better after playing the QB position pre and post snap. He called all the adjustments and set pass protection things he didn’t do in year 1 as a rookie. He’s progressing and that’s all you can ask for from a young passer. Honestly guys the organization has already committed to Prescott, baring some horrific injury he’s getting his extension regardless if the team goes 7-9, 8-8 or 12-4.. accept it and move on people or go jump on Houston bandwagon.
Exactly noone mentions they had prescott calling all the protections and audibles like Tony was doing in year 10. What ppl also fail to recognize is most rookies do yhis in their rookie year not their second year so that is why they show improvement and not perceived regression as Dak did
What team has successfully been able to dump calling protections and audibles on a rookie QB and not have them be overwhelmed. Nobody that I know. That’s hyperbole bordering on malarkey.
I see reading comprehension is not a strong suit with most Cowboys fans. Id like to see where i said it was successful. I really cant believe im part of this fanbase. Most cant read and most are soo entitled its ridiculous
Whatever it is said to be,,,,
Dak Prescott is 22-10 in his first 2 years starting at QB with year 2 being a first place schedule
Then he did his part to secure his first year playoff win vs Green Bay , but the defense faltered along with other bonehead mistakes beyond his control
If that’s not successful,,,,,
,,,,,what exactly does that make every other QB with a lesser win/loss record?
Wentz, Goff, Mariotta, Aikman, newton, Wilson, Manning, etc
Google it first before you answer it
Point(s) well-taken
Then why mention it like it matters, mr holier-than-thou enlightened fan. You say stupid things then expect to get called out for them.
HMMMM
YESSIREE
Sounds like every explanation of why Dak is never at fault smh
Oh Dak’s the very first to admit his faults & failing his teammates
He’s also hardervin himself than we are
So yeah, keep syh
Since when??
8 games, half the season under 180 yards passing, lead the league in pick 6’s, how many games without a passing touchdown?? Than on top of that he got Dez out cause he never really wanted him, keep that same energy if Saint Dak continues to throw for 120 yards and he stuck looking silly
He had much help from teammates accomplishing those stats
But
Not without help also from the same coaching we all been blaming
Not to mention calling for their jobs
About the best “best or bust” case & point made for Prescott
Dak Prescott could’ve went higher than the 4th round
But
Regardless, he was drafted as a developmental project QB for the future
Although his future began almost immediately, Dak Prescott is leaps & bounds beyond where he was projected when drafted
Sooooo,
How can he be a bust when he’s out-preforming himself?
He’s a diamond in the rough that’s making those who ranked not it Qb’s, but NFL players at large for the draft look very foolish
Your dead on point, my man, for pointing out most who don’t feel Prescotts the real deal simply just don’t want him as such anyway
Truth be told that is
What I have been thinking exactly. But I’m higher on Cooper Rush and Mike White…we either have a Tom Brady Jimmy G situation coming or a RG3 Curt Cousin’s situation…Either way I think what’s in the cubbard is better then any QB draft pick in 2019 pick.
Please tell me how a UDFA and a 5th rd pick who started off OTAs floating balls (Rush) and missing targets completely (White) are more NFL ready than a 22-10 record starting QB.
It would be fantastic if Dak could take a step forward and play like a franchise QB this season, but the reality is he will get his contract regardless. What potentially makes this scenario a sticky situation is that if he only plays well when Zeke is healthy and the Oline is tip-top then the team will always be wild card bound. There is only so much room under the cap. The entire Oline is getting paid, the Dline is the 5the highest paid in the league (according to spotrac), DLaw is on the fracnchise tag (or getting a deal), and Dak WILL get his contract and a boatload of guaranteed money. If he isn’t consistently probowl caliber his contract will hamstring the franchise for the foreseeable future. So let’s all hope he continues to improve, or pray that Mike White is the next Tom Brady.
#1
There’s my 1 Tom brady
1 AR, 1 Peyton Manning, 1 Troy Aikman in a lifetime
If Dak never reaches their plateau, but acquires what other franchise Qb’s who are in the top half have, then so beit
Plus where were you guys when all these other Qb’s, (Tony Romo) got all this such money & never promised IR were 1 & done?
Finally, Dak’s assumed payday will only be a portion of what hamstrings us
Smh
You named every position group & player that’s making kit contract wise but only placed blame on Prescott
SMH 4sho
Where to start with this?? First of all, I never compared Dak to any of the QB’s you mentioned. He does, I don’t. I only said he needed to be a consistent probowl QB to justify his hit against the cap that his contract will surely dictate. Look at the situation in Seattle with Russell Wilson. He got paid and then the franchise went south fast due in large part to cap issues. They have struggled with the Oline and have been trading and letting defensive players leave in FA. They took a gamble on Wilson and it doesn’t look like it’s going to payoff, and he is actually playing well. Drew Brees and AR are examples of two more franchise QB’s that play at a high level and their respective teams can’t seem to get back to the super bowl. None of these theams pay the Oline the way the Cowboys do. All of these teams have a huge percentage of their cap space allocated at QB, but they all have one ring. Safe to say we would all be happy with a ring. As far as the blame being placed at Dak’s feet if the team doesn’t perform, that’s part and parcel of being a QB in the NFL. the Oline has three All Pro’s. Can’t fault any of those guys. When they are healthy three of them are the best in the league at their position. If Dak can’t move the chains and win playoff games with those guys in front of him (and he does have a probowl under his belt) then yes, his contract will be a problem. If DLaw gets paid and doesn’t produce then the team can cut him and look for another pass rusher. A bad situation, but not nearly as difficult as cutting a QB and finding someone to replace him. My final point is this: DLaw, Zeke and Any of the big 3 on the Oline would have a line out the door if they were available to other teams. would Dak? There would be definitely be interest, but at what price? With a huge guaranteed contract? Not so sure about that. There are questions about his arm and his ceiling as a QB.
Great clarifications
I assumably understood as much from my take except assuming you were looking past Dak
The only thing I’ll say to them making the team Dak-friendly is this :
They scrapped the WR Corp
Which to me says he’s better off with unprovens
This also breathes calm into my psychi for
How is surrounding a “questionable QB” when unknowns & even more questions friendly???
I’m prayerful it speaks to credit both to Prescott & the Wr’s
Other than this
People are priming Dak for failure in thatif the WR Corp is faulty he’ll be the blame
I’m hoping, like you & other substance-mature fans, that they all prove each others worth & the assessments of the Brass/Front Office to be well invested
I’m shell-shocked by the unfounded allegations & disparity in many commentors that my replies tend to be surreal in tone
I could just swear many naysayers & doubters are blowing in the winds of change vs being founded & grounded in their own careful study over several years instead of believing every article at face value
If this team is Dak friendly the defense will cover the mistakes of Prescott like NE Patriots defense did for Tom Brady in their miraculous come from behind SB win in 16
But also a vast amount of proven weapons surrounding him
We have no Bill Bellichek but we have a better team in my humble opinion
We still expected too much from Prescott with so many missing pieces
Then, the sole blames on JG but then again Prescott
Zeke’s absence but it’s all Prescott
Chaz Green due to my Tyrone Smith yet Dak should’ve been Superman
Defense lost most those games, but as usual d4ak played on that side of the ball too
Feel me? We did the same with Romo
By the time the team was ripe for Romo, he went down & eventually out
Can’t wait til preseason
The Mike White being the next Brady is a prayer and nothing more. The chances of him ever being a top-notch Super Bowl champ are remote at best. He has the arm talent that Dak lacks, but there is far more to the position than having a talented arm. I would agree that Dak’s improvement is the most likely scenario for the Cowboys winning a ring. However, if he isn’t the answer, then having a QB on the roster, as opposed to having to draft or trade for one is by far the best option. The team spent a 5th round pick on him for a reason and it wasn’t solely to compete as a back-up. There was at least a small measure of insurance for Dak in that decision. A reasonable conversation about what he could possibly bring to the team is at least 6 weeks away. They haven’t even put pads on yet, or played one preseason game. To wrap-up the conversation about Dak needing to show improvement, the fact that the team has scrapped the receiving core and added FA’s and draft picks along with a new WR coach speaks volumes to the commitment the organization has shown to the development of Dak’a skill set. With a new found emphasis being placed on timing and route running (which Dez and TWiill are not very good at, but both Gallup and Wilson excelled at in college), and maintaining possession after contact (another issue with Twill and a strength of Gallup’s) along with a commitment to deploy more speed in the recieving core (Austin and Thompson) a good number of pieces have been put in front of Dak to empower him to succeed. Of course these guys are unproven, but so were the young guys drafted to retool the secondary last year. They struggles at first, but this year look very promising. I for one expect big things from Gallup in year two. But with an all-time Oline and a perennial probowl player in Zeke, put together with a “Dak Friendly” passing scheme, the pieces are there for Dak to take a jump forward. Even the Oline added a 2nd round pick and a stellar swing tackle to prevent a potential collapse if injuries strike. Some of these receivers will pan-out and some won’t. But the fact is, money and draft capitol has been spent to surround Dak with what he needs to be successful. It’s up to him at this point to create chemistry with his receivers and separate the good from the bad. He’ll have 7 or 8 defenders in the box and the best Oline in the game to provide time. With all of the investments the team has made to make the offense suit his abilities he has to show his rookie year is the Dak that will lead the franchise.
If he takes this team to the second round of the playoffs this year then yes he is a franchise quarterback but if he fails to even get us a wild card then it’s time to change quarterbacks because I third year quarterback on his last year of the contract is when they put all the chips in for a big contract good luck dak
Did you even read the article? You abandon Prescott now, the franchise takes a huge step back for years. The Cowboys had 10 years of nobodies (and Quincy Carter almost showing promise) between Aikman’s decline and Romo. Prescott will have to absolutely crater (I doubt he has that in him) for the decision to move on from him to make sense. They’d have to get lucky in the draft and then spend another 3 to 4 years developing that QB on the fly like they’ve had to do with Prescott.
That’s the question?I hope he is but to me right now he’s not want to see more accuracy on the throws down field and more. Thanks
Aside from Zeke missing games – which was patched up ok during his absence – the difference between 2016 and 2017 for the passing game was – time to throw and receivers winning their routes.
Dak clearly did not get as much of either in his 2017 season. If the time comes when he’s getting 4 seconds and can’t get the ball to someone who beat their coverage, then I’d worry. Not before.
And we have to ask Linehan to preside effectively. He has cogs outside and if Gathers does not emerge as a threat at camp, he has nobody inside to balance up coverages. But he has the mobility of both Dak and Zeke regardless. You write up the attack plan in that case. I’m doing more organized rolls & scrambles, and making LB’s stay with Zeke a lot in the pass patterns.