Latest news with #Dak
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What Is Cowboys' Worst-Case Scenario For 2025?
What Is Cowboys' Worst-Case Scenario For 2025? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Right now, there are positive vibes flowing through The Star as Brian Schottenheimer's Dallas Cowboys vision is becoming clear to see. Advertisement But as we know, it doesn't take too much for those vibes to be replaced with negative ones. Yes, we are early in the offseason, and everyone looks like a Pro Bowler, so when the regular season rolls around, we will get to see the truest version of Schottenheimer's Cowboys. However, with everything seemingly rolling smoothly, the roster appears to be in good shape for the regular season. Dak Prescott and the offense have been upgraded, and so too has the defense. Expectations for Dallas in 2025 vary from playoffs to missing out altogether. But if the Cowboys are to return to the postseason, what is one thing that simply can't happen? Of all the bad things that could transpire, I offer this as what some might call the worst-case scenario, and I write this with fingers, toes, and anything else you can think of crossed. Advertisement Prescott goes down again. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) scrambles against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Davis-Imagn Images Having not missed a single game in his first four seasons, of Dak's next five years, he's only played a full year twice. We saw last season how quickly things unraveled when Prescott tore part of his hamstring off the bone, and for Schottenheimer, he has to keep Dak on the field. No longer the running threat he once was, Dak can now hopefully lean on a run game that was non-existent last season, plus he has George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb as his go-to weapons. When Dak is healthy, Dallas is a playoff team. It is that simple. So, keeping him upright and out of the treatment room is crucial to any success the Cowboys hope to have in 2025. Advertisement He is approaching his 32nd birthday, so Dak is no spring chicken, but losing him again as the franchise did last season is nightmare fuel. For now, and the future, because that could be thrown into question as well. So, my friends, knock on wood, cross your fingers and toes that Mr. Prescott stays on the field. Because Dallas' success depends on it. Related: Cowboys Film Study Reveals Need For 'Fight Back' Strategy from Schottenheimer Related: Cowboys' Dak $60 Million Salary In Danger of Lamar Leapfrog with Ravens This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys' Dak $60 Million Salary In Danger of Lamar Leapfrog with Ravens
Cowboys' Dak $60 Million Salary In Danger of Lamar Leapfrog with Ravens originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - There is an understandable misconception when it comes to how QBs are paid in the NFL. Advertisement The very best guy gets the absolute biggest contract? Nope. The Baltimore Ravens employ superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson. As a two-time MVP, he is inarguably more accomplished than the current highest-paid player in the NFL, Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, who signed a four-year, $240 million deal back in September of this past year. Good for Dak. And eventually, good for Lamar, too. CBS Sports' Joel Corry thinks Jackson could eclipse that annual $60 million mark by a wide margin, and is offering some advice. "Jackson should also make it clear to the Ravens that by waiting until next year to do a deal, the growth in the salary cap from 2025 to 2026 will need to be taken into account," Corry wrote. "For example, if the 2026 salary cap is set at $302.5 million, then the deal would have to be at $70 million per year because that would reflect the 34.56% salary cap inflation from 2023." Advertisement Our two reflections … One, we are endlessly amused at media members offering unsolicited advice to people in the arena. (Mike Florio at is hilariously guilty of this.) Two, Corry was once an agent, so he's got skins on the wall. And we bet his number ($70 million APY!), steep as it is … Is virtually inevitable. Jackson finished this past season with 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdowns on just four interceptions. He was obviously also able to get it done with his legs with 915 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. The 28-year-old field general is just two seasons removed from winning the NFL Most Valuable Player Award, so there will not be much debate that he deserves to be paid more than Prescott when the time comes. Advertisement That's not an insult to Dak. It's not even a statement about the Dak. It's simply the way the market works. Related: Cowboys Dak and Schotty Leading New Cowboys Culture Related: 'Remarkably Consistent' Ravens Dubbed Second-Most Complete Team Want more Cowboys? Join us at the Fish Report! - This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What's On Cowboys' Dak's 'X-Factor' Shoulders In Changing Narratives?
What's On Cowboys' Dak's 'X-Factor' Shoulders In Changing Narratives? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will have a lot on his plate entering the 2025 season, with the Pro Bowler having to quell several narratives around him. Advertisement Can Dak stay healthy, bounce back from a poor 2024 season, and now with George Pickens, a "better" offensive line and run game, lead this Cowboys team to the promised land? We hear fans screaming no, and that is justified based on Prescott's previous history, but Dak, some might feel, is now out of excuses, given what has been put around him this offseason. As such, Pro Football Focus has named him Dallas' X-Factor entering the new season. "Prescott is a prime bounce-back candidate after earning a career-low 67.2 PFF passing grade in his eight games last season," Pro Football Focus writes. "That came on the heels of his career-high 86.9 PFF passing grade in 2023. If Prescott plays closer to his 2023 form with wide receiver George Pickens in the fold, Dallas has plenty of talent to secure a postseason berth." Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) scrambles against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Davis-Imagn Images It is no secret that the Cowboys will go as far as Dak takes them, which, based on history, is to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Advertisement Is this current Dallas team capable of surpassing that? Color us skeptical on that right now. Under Brian Schottenheimer, Prescott won't be the driving force, instead leaning on a run game that should be far better than it was a year ago and an offensive line that knows it must be the heartbeat of the team. But make no mistake - all eyes are on Mr. Prescott in 2025. With several narratives that need to be squashed, can Dak be the "X-Factor" his team needs him to be? If Schottenheimer is to have success in Year 1, Prescott might have to be. Related: Future Hall Of Famer Blasts Cowboys 'Worst' Offseason Related: Cowboys Legend Watches Practice With Three-Word Mantra This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN Ranks Cowboys Dak Prescott Shockingly Compared to Rookie QBs
FRISCO - When ESPN's Stephen A. Smith disrespects Dak Prescott? It's meant to be taken about as seriously as when Wile E. Coyote chases the Roadrunner. It's a cartoon. But what about when somebody from ESPN who purports to be a "Big J journalist'' does the same? Advertisement We've seen Dak struggle by the numbers. ... as recently as last year. Even before his season-ending injury, the stats were not there as he threw for 1,978 yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. We've also seen Dak excel to the point he's an NFL MVP candidate. That's what happened when a healthy Prescott totaled 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns and only nine interceptions back in 2023 when the Cowboys last won the NFC East, a performance that put him behind only Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens in the voting. So ... What about 2025? Which Dak is on tap? At first glance, However, ESPN's Mike Clay having Prescott ranked No. 12 in his quarterback projections for 2025 doesn't seem all that insulting. After all, there's been a long-standing debate about whether Dak is "top 5'' or "top 10'' or whatever. Advertisement So "top 12'' doesn't sound so bad. But wait. Clay's projections have Denver Broncos' second-year man Bo Nix ranked ahead of Dak. And he has Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy - who has never played a down of NFL football - ranked one spot behind Prescott having not played a down of NFL football to this point. Even the most loyal Cowboys fan can concede that at this moment, statistically or otherwise, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) and Josh Allen (Bills) are super-elite. Also easy to concede: The Cowboys have revamped the roster and the coaching staff. Will newcomers Brian Schottenheimer and George Pickens help Prescott skyrocket to the top of the rankings? We can't know that. Advertisement But will we bet that a healthy Prescott is a better bet to put up the numbers to win a game than the NFL's collection of rookie/rookie-like QBs? Yes, ESPN silliness aside, we will take that bet. Related: Cowboys' Parsons Questioned OTA Attendance Addressed by New Coach Related: Cowboys Praised For George Pickens Gamble
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tony Romo Reveals Dallas Cowboys Edge In Schottenheimer Hire
The coaching search for the Dallas Cowboys to replace Mike McCarthy wasn't exactly an extensive one, much to the displeasure of fans and media alike. But Jerry Jones and the front office had a front-row seat to Brian Schottenheimer as McCarthy's offensive coordinator last year, so he was known in the building, which may have been a big factor in his hiring. Advertisement While not everyone was pleased with the Schottenheimer hire, given it wasn't a splashy one like Deion Sanders would have been, and for former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who spoke exclusively with Ryan Sanudo of The U.S. Sun, there are a host of positives that come with Schotty's hiring. "You know, it may not have been the flashiest hiring, but I will say he's been in that building and so everyone around has been able to evaluate him and the way that he communicates to the players ... to other coaches, the front office, all of that matters," Romo said. Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian SchottenheimerKirby Lee-Imagn Images The familiarity was a big thing in Schottenheimer's hiring, mostly for Dak Prescott, who the Cowboys made the highest-paid quarterback in football. Advertisement You want to put Dak in the best situation to succeed, and having a new head coach with different terminology and offensive scheme isn't ideal at this stage of Prescott's career. Schottenheimer was riding shotgun last season, Dak knows him as a coordinator, and now as a coach. Plus, the rest of the roster knows Schottenheimer, and it has been clear from Day 1 that everyone is buying what he's selling, and that is half the battle. "When you hire a coach who's in the building, you know everything about him and you know what his strengths and weaknesses are, and so they saw a lot of positive things that he did that are going to affect the team, coaches, front office, and the entire building," added Romo, now the lead voice at CBS Sports. He's genuine, loves what he does, and emphasizes relationships, which he's been working hard on since he was hired. We've heard the Osa Odighizuwa champagne story and the Whataburger story—it's all real. Schottenheimer talked the talk, and he's walking the walk. Advertisement So yes, the hire wasn't a glamorous one, but that doesn't mean it wasn't the right one, and if Romo is on board with Schottenheimer as head coach, then you don't need to look any further for validation of Dallas' decision. Related: Cowboys Blue Stakes Claim To Home-Run Role with Dak Related: Jerry Earns Cowboys Credit But It's Not Enough for Dak
