Like it or not, Dak Prescott faces a make it or break it year
Compounding the issue for Prescott, even though they made the playoffs and beat Tampa Bay, he regressed in 2022.
Despite playing three fewer games, he tied Davis Mills in Interceptions (15) and Pick Sixes (3).
Making matters worse, Prescott’s turnovers seemed to come at the absolute worst time. Up 28-14 with 40 seconds remaining in the half, Prescott throws a pick to set up a Bears field goal. The Cowboys overcame the error, but the play gave the Bears life.
The very next game against Green Bay, Prescott throws two first-half interceptions. Instead of a 14-0 lead, they go into halftime tied at 14. The Packers go on to win in overtime.
The loss to Jacksonville in overtime a few weeks later? Another Prescott pick sets up a Jags momentum-changing score in the second half. Then came the pick six in overtime to end the game.
Then the season-ending loss to the 49ers. Two picks that took at least three points off the board, set up six points for San Francisco, and gave the 49ers momentum they never gave back.
Yes, in all of these examples, other things happened that impacted the game. But if the quarterback is this off, and it keeps occurring, wins are harder to come by.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
Prescott enters his eighth season in 2023. This has to be his do-or-die season.
He cannot be careless with the ball anymore. He cannot miss wide-open receivers in crucial moments, as he did in the 49ers loss. He cannot force the ball into areas where no window exists.
In the playoff win over Tampa Bay, he pulled the ball down and ran for positive yards. This needs to be his default mode in 2023. Live to fight another down and stop playing Hero ball.
THE SOLUTION
In a perfect world, without the salary cap, Prescott would be cut or traded. According to Spotrac, Prescott carries a $49 million cap hit into 2023. His cap hit is $39 million in 2024.
So cutting him, or trading him, is off the table. For now.
But Dallas needs to make it clear to him that 2023 is his make-it-or-break-it year. Anything less than an NFC title game appearance is unacceptable.
If he doesn’t get the job done? Then the Cowboys’ first-round pick in 2024 had better be Dak Prescott’s replacement.
