Within the coronary heart of Texas, the place all the pieces’s larger, a quarterback’s determination looms bigger than the state itself. Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys‘ signal-caller, finds himself at a crossroads that could make or break his legacy. It’s a story as previous because the Lone Star State itself: keep loyal to the star or search glory elsewhere?
James Jones, former large receiver, threw a Hail Mary of an opinion on the “Speak” present immediately. “Jerry Jones, you paid Zeke before me. Now you’re over here sitting back with all your people that work in the organization talking, ‘Is he the guy?’ No, let him walk,” Jones declared. However he didn’t cease there. Jones recommended Prescott might be chasing extra than simply wins. “If Dak Prescott played the way he has played in Dallas in Cleveland, we might be talking about Hall of Fame.”
LeSean McCoy, one other gridiron veteran, backed up Jones’ play. “If I’m Dak Prescott’s agent, I’m going to say, ‘You know what, Jerry? You know what, McCarthy? Listen, we’re going to have a great season this year, and then we’re going to be on our way,’” McCoy said. It’s a daring technique, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for ’em.
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In the meantime, Prescott’s retaining his playing cards near the vest. At his youth soccer camp final Tuesday, he addressed the contract elephant within the room. “There’s been conversations back and forth, but for the most part for me as y’all know, I let my agent do that,” Prescott mentioned. He added, “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
However let’s not neglect what’s at stake right here. Prescott’s coming off a season hotter than a Texas summer season, throwing for 4,516 yards and main the league with 36 landing passes. He completed second in MVP voting, nearer to the trophy than the Cowboys have been to the NFC Championship in almost three a long time.
The strain of carrying the QB tag for America’s Workforce!
Being the Cowboys’ quarterback isn’t simply any job. It’s like attempting to wrangle a bull along with your naked arms whereas the entire world watches. Pleasure Taylor, sports activities analyst, hit the nail on the top: “Being the Dallas Cowboys quarterback is different than being the quarterback for any other team… They’re the biggest brand in all of sports.”
This isn’t simply hyperbole. The Cowboys’ reputation is as actual as Texas barbecue. In 2023, 16 of the 100 most-watched broadcasts featured the Cowboys. They’ve been a mannequin of consistency, avoiding back-to-back dropping seasons since 2002. When Dak Prescott confirmed up in a strolling boot on July 4th, it was like somebody had sounded the air raid sirens. As Jason McIntyre colorfully put it again then, “The NFL media went to Defcon 1. It was panic time, and everybody freaked out.”
The Cowboys’ star has been shining vivid for 59 years, unchanged and iconic. It’s not only a brand; it’s an emblem of a whole state’s satisfaction. As Bob Ryan, former editor-in-chief at NFL Movies, put it when he coined the time period “America’s Team” again in 1978, “They’re the most popular team in the country. How can I use that? Why don’t we call them America’s Team?”
Cam Newton, former NFL MVP, stirred the pot even additional. On his “4th and 1” podcast, he claimed, “If you’ve got the same stat line as Patrick Mahomes, something is clicking in big games.” Newton went on to rank Prescott above a number of star QBs who lately broke the financial institution, together with Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert.
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Newton’s take isn’t simply sizzling air. Over their final 50 begins, Prescott boasts a 33-17 report with 105 touchdowns and 38 interceptions. Mahomes? He’s sitting fairly at 36-14 with 105 scores and 39 picks. It’s nearer than a goal-line stand on fourth down, people.
However Newton didn’t cease there. He went full ‘How ’bout them Cowboys!’ mode, saying he’d take Prescott over a lineup of QB stars that reads like a Professional Bowl roster. “I would prefer Dak Prescott over Kirk Cousins. I prefer Dak over Kyler Murray. I prefer Dak over Jalen Hurts. Justin Herbert? Dak. Trevor Lawrence? I’m taking Dak,” Newton rattled off.
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Then there’s the contract dance. Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ proprietor, has been coy about negotiations. “Who in the world would think that we’re not working on it?” Jones mentioned at his pre-draft press convention. However actions communicate louder than phrases.
As Prescott stares down the barrel of free company, the clock’s ticking louder than a Friday Evening Lights drumline. Will he saddle up for one more rodeo with the Cowboys, or experience off into the sundown looking for greener pastures? One factor’s for certain: this ain’t his first rodeo, but it surely may be his most necessary.