It’s time the Dallas Cowboys remind Dak Prescott he’s replaceable

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott metaphorically dropped the ball in 2019 versus winning teams. It’s time to remind Prescott he’s replaceable.

It is starting to become clear that the Dallas Cowboys are not going to overpay for Dak Prescott this offseason, they already would have pulled the trigger on a long-term deal. Is it time to make 2020 a full-on tryout for the quarterback position under the tutelage of new head coach Mike McCarthy?

I believe it is. And there is one name that the Cowboys can look at, who might remind several fans of Prescott himself, in ultra-competitive quarterback Jalen Hurts. The organization couldn’t get Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley to budge from the college ranks this past year to coach in Big D. But maybe they can grab his latest quarterback project in the later rounds.

If Hurts falls to the third round and is still around when the Cowboys are on the clock with the number 82 pick. The organization should consider pulling the trigger. It is never a bad thing to remind the “franchise” quarterback he needs to perform if he wants the long term money.

To be honest, Prescott put up excellent stats and has the heart of a lion. But he still was a negative factor in too many must-win games for America’s Team in 2019. Remember the 10 points versus the New Orleans Saints, then the too-little-too-late performances versus the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets. Then two more nine-point performances at the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

Hurts would be enough pressure to give Prescott a bit of a scare on his job security with this one-year franchise tag. Anyone else after Hurts would just be another obvious backup, there would be no point.

So, through that 82nd pick or through a trade which would give the Cowboys a pick later in the third round, Hurts should be a definite thought. The effect of a young quarterback waiting to take Prescott’s job at any moment can only help.

Many of the NFL draft analysts believe that with what Hurts learned under both Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban his first three college seasons and Riley this past campaign, and with his ability to be mobile and be efficient enough in the play-action and Run-Pass-option schemes, he is a modern-day NFL signal-caller.

Kinda like the current quarterback in Big D. Only one playoff win in four seasons though. You can’t make the same mistakes you made with former quarterback Tony Romo and never put the pressure to replace him until it is almost a decade down the line and there is no significant playoff success.

The Eagles and Los Angeles Rams are learning that overpaying for quarterbacks who might not be proven top-5 elite talents is a dangerous setback for a franchise. Both teams are hanging on by a thread after their two unique and special Super Bowl runs.

So, before you offer insane money that only honestly probably quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson have earned and deserve. Realize Ryan Tannehill now has more playoff wins than Prescott. Prescott hasn’t earned this contract yet, even though it would be convenient just to pay him, but the Cowboys seem to want to play this out.

Prescott has somehow stayed healthy for 64 games to start his career, you never anticipate this, but what if Prescott’s shoulder concerns come back next season. You need a solid backup to take over. Hurts can help the quarterback room in so many ways in 2020.

This isn’t questioning if Prescott should be the quarterback in 2020 and that the Cowboys shouldn’t have any other mindset other than a long playoff run with a potentially lethal offense. But if the latter doesn’t happen, you need options next offseason. At that point, if it hasn’t happened in five-seasons, why would it happen at $40 million a season after that?