Dak Prescott enters pivotal year in Dallas; pumped up about Cowboys’ playmakers
Is it a Super Bowl or bust year for Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys in 2023?
Well, that is a lot of pressure to put on America’s team with the talent in the conference, let alone in their own division with the powerhouse that is the Philadelphia Eagles. Coming off two consecutive 12-5 seasons, the expectations for Prescott to lead his team to the Big Game is higher than ever, especially with the playmakers around him.
Long-time star running back Ezekiel Elliott is not walking through that door, but the Cowboys have added some stud players on both sides of the ball this offseason that could finally put them over the top.
"“I think we’ve done a great job,” Prescott said in a one-on-one interview with Dallascowboys.com in early August. “It’s building, it’s building. And there’s not been many years in my career where I can say we’ve gotten better as a team and grown from one year to two years, and especially not to three years. I think that’s what we’re capable of doing now.”"
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott excited about the talent around him
No more excuses in Dallas, especially for Prescott who knows and understands his role in the tam not making it further a season ago. The Cowboys quarterback threw for 2,860 yards with 23 touchdowns but led the NFL with a career-high 15 interceptions. That can’t happen in 2023, especially with a trio of wide receivers in the emerging star inCeeDee Lamb along with Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup.
The Cowboys did lose Dalton Schultz via free agency, but there are a couple of young tight ends in Jake Ferguson and 2023 second round pick Luke Schoonmaker who each can make contributions in the passing game. Then, there is the backfield tandem of Tony Pollard and rookie Deuce Vaughn that gives Prescott a versatile array of playmakers fueled with speed.
"“Yeah, a lot of speed. You can name a lot of guys,” Prescott gushed to the media, via Cowboys.com. “(We have a) few guys that have speed but are playmakers. Speed is one thing, but to be a playmaker is another thing.”"
The Cowboys will play fast in 2023 with an ability to do it in the air or the ground. With All Pro guard Zack Martin paid and back in the fold anchoring that offensive line, Dallas could be one of the top offenses in the league. But it will come down to Dak Prescott and the play calling of head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
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Prescott knows the team can have all the talent in the world, but it will be up to him to make the right decisions, limit the turnovers and get those guys the ball.
"“For me, it’s about getting these guys the ball,” Prescott said. “Whether it’s in the run game or the pass game, or just out in space to allow them to do what they do best — break tackles, make people miss and show off their speed. We’ve got a handful of guys and that’s going to make my job easier.”"
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With a stout defense on the other side of the ball led by Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Leighton Vander Esch, Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore, the most complete team in the NFL may hail in Dallas, which makes 2023 a pivotal year for Dak Prescott. If this team fails to go deep in the playoffs, the Cowboys may look towards the development of Trey Lance as their next chapter at quarterback.