The Dallas Cowboys Have A Dak Prescott Problem

When the Dallas Cowboys started off the game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Arlington, Texas tonight, all eyes went to #10, quarterback Cooper Rush.

Rush, a replacement for superstar quarterback Dak Prescott, achieved one of his greatest career wins against Cincinnati in Dallas several years ago, winning the game on a last second field goal from former kicker Brett Maher.

The redheaded career backup hasn’t accomplished all that much in his career, but has maintained a steady hand of relief behind Dak Prescott for his entire career. He was signed as an undrafted just one year after Prescott was taken in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

During this last offseason, the Dallas Cowboys made Prescott the highest paid player in NFL history. The star quarterback is set to count $44 Million against the cap in 2024 alone. Prescott’s contract extension is for a duration four years and a total value of $240 Million.

So when the Cowboys took the field against a banged up, underperforming Bengals team tonight in Arlington without their highest paid player, the score should not have been close…

For Cowboys fans, memories (or nightmares) of Brad Johnson, John Kitna, and other awful backups that plagued the Tony Romo-era entering the game meant sure defeat. Pure hopelessness.

Sure, those Cowboys teams were far less talented than what we see on the field today, but still, the disparity between Romo and Brad Johnson, and particularly Jon Kitna, was unmistakable.

You knew when the Cowboys were being led by Romo, because the score was close. Romo never once started an NFL game in his entire career where he was eliminated from playoff contention. His will, and understated talent, delivered the Cowboys a majority of their wins each season.

That’s why when the Cowboys immediately scored against the Bengals tonight, looking as if they were at full strength on offense, the Dallas Cowboys front office had to be reminded of their massive Dak Prescott problem.

Hopeless Under Dak, But Hopeful Under Rush

For those who have watched the Dallas Cowboys in recent years, the apparent difference in the quality of play across the board when Cooper Rush is the starting quarterback from all aspects of this team is clear.

Under Prescott in 2024, the Cowboys failed to have a single player reach 100 yards rushing, a feat that has now been accomplished twice by Rico Dowdle with Cooper Rush.

Before his injury in week eight, Prescott had amassed just 11 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. His increased interception percentage is a constantly recurring problem that seems to rear its head every few years. Prescott led the league in interceptions in 2022, losing several games for the Cowboys single-handedly, including a game in which he tossed two interceptions that I happened to have attended in Jacksonville, Florida.

With a passer rating of just 86, and a QBR of under 47 in 2024, Prescott is showing signs of severe regression heading into the largest contract extension in NFL history, a contract that the Dallas Cowboys are simply unable to get rid of without Prescott’s consent.

In just 6 games played, Rush has 7 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. His passer rating is 79, just 7 points lower than Prescott. Over the last five games he has 5 touchdowns to just 1 interception.

Rush has arguably outplayed Prescott this season, marking a very concerning trend for Dallas.

Not only will this situation affect Dallas’ in the now, as Prescott is set to take up more 25% of the team’s yearly salary cap for the next half decade, but on top of these issues, his contract may represent an unworkable albatross for perspective head coaching replacements for Mike McCarthy, who is expected to be let go after this season.

Whoever inherits the Cowboys situation will inherit Prescott, for five years, at more than 25% of the team’s overall salary cap, a situation that will likely doom the organization to mediocrity for the time being.

No Way Out For Dallas In Dismal Dak Deal

When Dallas signed Prescott to his contract extension this offseason, they inked a deal which includes a no-trade clause, unless the clause is waived by Prescott, who would likely be unwilling to forgo his contract and status as the Dallas Cowboys quarterback if presented the option to play elsewhere.

In essence, Dallas has no ability to trade Prescott. Dallas has no ability to cut him due to his massive guaranteed cap figure.

The Dallas Cowboys have placed themselves in a situation where Cooper Rush, who makes $2.8 Million per year, is outplaying their “superstar” starter who also is now becoming more prone to injury.

More Problems To Come For Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys changed their football lives in 2021 when they selected Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons in the first round of the NFL Draft. Parsons represented the team’s first real premiere defensive draft talent since Demarcus Ware.

Unfortunately for Dallas, Parsons’ rookie contract is set to expire after this season, though the star will still have a fifth-year option available for the team to exercise if needed.

Based on the salaries of Ceedee Lamb, who makes more than $30 Million per year, and Dak Prescott, who will make nearly $60 Million per year, it appears that extending Parsons for any length of time will not only be difficult, but impossible.

Dallas is set to lose a generational defensive talent due to its dedication to Prescott, a dedication that is likely already costing them victories.