Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy took the podium for the first time in a long time on Thursday. The head man in Big D went over a plethora of topics that included Dan Quinn and the defensive scheme, free agency, and the status of offensive linemen Tyron Smith and La’el Collins.
The biggest news about the Cowboys this offseason, or the entire NFL for that matter, was the long-awaited contract extension of Dak Prescott. After nearly two years and three rounds of negotiations, the Cowboys and Prescott agreed to a four-year deal worth $160 million. McCarthy was very candid when he was asked about his reaction to having his franchise quarterback signed long-term.
“I was actually in Florida when the deal was finally completed,” McCarthy said. “It’s a lot easier to do cartwheels on the sand. I’ll say that. Rich is having a hell of a visual over there right now. I was obviously very excited. He is definitely a keystone of moving forward as a football team. I was very excited about that. He was just finishing up his workout on the field as I walked in here. He’s making progress and he’s on course. I’m excited about year two of the offense because frankly in a lot of ways we feel like we really didn’t get to have year one. We’re excited about what we can do this year with a healthy offense.”
The coronavirus pandemic flipped the NFL world upside-down. It shut down normal protocol for the league’s offseason activities. Teams were forced to communicate virtually with limited OTAs and training camp access. With a full offseason with Prescott in 2021, McCarthy talked about how the players and coaches need time to gel and how Prescott is a regular at the team’s facility.
“We have a lot of ideas but until we know the schedule we don’t know exactly how we can go about it. We’re in a virtual mindset and how that’s going to look, that’s to be determined. Dak lives here. He’s here every day.”
“He’s the keystone of this football team. That’s the way I view it. That’s the way we’re going to push forward with it too. The quarterback touches the ball every play. But also, his presence and his natural leadership ability is something that will continue to grow. I think you’ll see that in the locker room.”
Prescott may have only played in five games in 2020 but he was on an insane pace. He led the NFL with 1,856 passing yards and was completing 68% of his passes (highest of his career) through his first four contests. Wide receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb were all on pace for 1,000-yard seasons.
Prescott’s injury didn’t come in the pocket but rather while he was using his legs in Week 5 against the New York Giants. He suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle. The Cowboys won that game, but went 4-7 the rest of the season and missed the playoffs.
McCarthy doesn’t feel Prescott should be hesitant going forward even with his injury but does think he has to be more cautious.
“I don’t think he needs to be lowering his shoulder and stiff-arming maybe as much. Jerry probably wants him to run out of bounds every play. I think he’s got to be a little more mindful of it. You don’t ever want to tell a player, I don’t ever try to make a statement to a player that would make him hesitate because hesitation in the NFL is you’re a full step slower than the opponent and it can put you in a worse position.”
The return of Prescott puts the Cowboys right at the top of the NFC East. In 2021, they’ll look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2018.