The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of problems right now, but it is eye-opening that a franchise legend like Troy Aikman came forward and blasted the offense. Aikman was specifically critical of the team's wide receivers, whom he believes run "terrible" routes and are "lazy" off the line of scrimmage.
Aikman even called out CeeDee Lamb, who seemingly gives lackluster effort when he knows the ball isn't coming his way. While Lamb needs to improve that aspect of his game, opponents have thrown No. 88 different looks in the name of limiting his impact. And it's worked.
Whether it be cloud coverage, sending an extra defender in man coverage or cheating a safety over to him, Lamb has seen it all. Despite that, Dak Prescott has thrown into tight windows this season at an alarming rate.
While Mike McCarthy's scheme is partly to blame, Prescott and the offense are desperate for another difference-maker at wide receiver. The upcoming trade deadline presents an opportunity for the front office to lend QB1 a helping hand.
Luckily, there's a disgruntled wideout who is practically begging to be saved.
Cowboys news: Panthers WR Diontae Johnson is practically begging for a trade
Even though the Commanders played without rookie QB phenom Jayden Daniels for most of the game, they blew out Johnson's Panthers 40-7 on Sunday. The loss dropped Carolina to 1-6 and Johnson expressed frustration with the team's effort following the defeat.
Panthers WR Diontae Johnson says he’s frustrated, but he can’t play every position on the field and make every play. pic.twitter.com/f6iezdbMvI
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 20, 2024
"Frustrated, but I can't play every position on the field and make every play," Johnson said, via The Athletic's Joe Person. "Everybody's got to do their job when it comes down to it. Yeah, it's tough, but I just tell myself to keep going regardless."
Johnson hasn't officially requested a trade, but his displeasure is obvious. He caught one of three targets for 17 yards against a suspect Washington secondary. His talent is being wasted on the Panthers, who didn't score a point until the fourth quarter and mustered just 180 yards of offense in the game.
Traded to Carolina in the offseason, Johnson has been held under 30 receiving yards in four of seven games. He has 21 catches for 283 yards and three touchdowns in the other three games, but it's virtually impossible for him to find consistency in a monotonous Panthers offense.
With Carolina headed for a top pick in the 2025 draft and Johnson slated to be a free agent, he feels like an obvious trade candidate before the Nov. 5 deadline.
Johnson is the dynamic secondary pass-catcher the Cowboys desperately need. He won't be cheap to re-sign, but paying two wide receivers has become the norm amongst the NFL's elite. It's time for Dallas' front office to get with the times and stop asking Prescott to play hero ball every week.