Since Dak Prescott became the team’s starting quarterback in 2016, the Dallas Cowboys have been among the NFL’s most bizarre outliers.
Every season, Prescott plays as brilliantly as any quarterback in the NFL through the first 17 games, but he chokes in the postseason, forcing the Cowboys to forfeit their game early.
After splitting from Kellen Moore, Mike McCarthy took over play calling, and the offense ran wild. The best QB/WR combination in the NFL came from Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb, who were named to the First Team All-Pro in 2023.
Dak After completing one of the finest seasons of his NFL career, Prescott emerged as a strong candidate for MVP at the end of the regular season. With 4,516 passing yards (third most), 36 touchdowns (first most), nine interceptions, and a QBR of 72.7 (second in the NFL), the Dallas Cowboys quarterback led the NFL in several important statistics.
After the season, Jerry Jones could have offered Prescott a contract extension, freeing up salary room to add talent to surround him. However, the Dallas owner is opting to let Prescott play out the final year of his current contract.
Prescott currently has complete control and is not motivated to rush a new contract because Trevor Lawrence recently received a huge contract extension. Regardless of his performance in 2024, at least five teams will be vying for his services to make him one of the NFL’s top paid quarterbacks following the season.
This implies that there’s a good likelihood that Prescott won’t be the Cowboys’ starting quarterback for much longer.
Derek Carr is expected to replace Dak Prescott for the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas should take into consideration veteran replacement starter Derek Carr of the Saints in 2025, according to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell.
Carr is still under contract for three more seasons, totaling $150 million for four years. However, if the veteran is freed up instead of someone who needs to be traded for, he becomes a far more desirable choice. Additionally, the Saints selected Spencer Rattler, a quarterback from South Carolina, in the April NFL Draft after Carr had a lackluster 2023 season. Should Carr fail early in the season, Rattler may take his job and be dismissed the following year.
A quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys is more likely than ever to be a divisive player. It is difficult to believe that those Dallas supporters who are upset with Prescott would be amazed by Carr.
As a four-time Pro Bowler who has finished with more than 4,000 passing yards in four consecutive seasons, the veteran does have a remarkable background. However, in the previous two seasons, Carr has not been able to hit this milestone. Throughout his 17 starts during the previous season, Carr completed 68.4% of his passes for 3,878 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.
Barnwell argues that Carr is a viable backup plan in the event that Prescott deserts.
In a June 19, 2024 article headlined “Dak Prescott’s Cowboys future: New contract or test free agency?” Barnwell explained that “if the Saints disappoint this season, they likely would end up moving on from Carr, who only has $10 million in guarantees left on his deal after this season.” If they traded him after the season, it would be difficult for them to pay off the $40 million in dead money left on his deal. However, they could designate him as a post-June 1 release, which would free up more than $30 million in short-term space. If they choose to try to sign Prescott, that may be useful, Barnwell continued.
“The Dallas Cowboys, who hope to win games with their defense, may be drawn to Carr’s ability to guard the ball and prevent turnovers. Carr should be available for roughly half the amount that the Cowboys would have to pay Prescott in a new contract.”
Although it’s difficult to picture Dallas supporters becoming happy about this possible transfer, it would make sense should Prescott really go for a different team.
Pingback: High-Risk, High-Reward? Ravens & Saints Weigh Taking a Shot on a Former Bust