Mike McCarthy details focal point of Cowboys’ offensive changes

The Cowboys’ offensive changes center around Dak Prescott. 

“We feel strongly about his future. We will build this thing around him,” Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday, per the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken. 

McCarthy, who will take over play-calling duties after former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore departed, focuses on Prescott because limiting his turnovers and improving his efficiency unlocks Dallas’ championship potential. 

The last three Super Bowl-winning QBs (Patrick Mahomes,
Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady) averaged a 103.5 passer rating. Each finished in the top 10 during the regular season. Over the past four seasons, Prescott averaged a 99.3 passer rating, not bad but a tier below elite QBs.

Additionally, Prescott developed an interception problem last season, throwing a career-high 15 in 12 starts, tying for the league lead. He threw two in Dallas’ second consecutive playoff loss to the 49ers.

Prescott has moments where he plays at an elite level, though. Over the past two seasons, he threw 60 TD passes in 28 starts, eighth in the league.

That might be why McCarthy is making significant changes but not completely redesigning the offense. McCarthy said to expect a “30-35 percent change,” per Gehlken. 

When McCarthy called plays as Green Bay HC, he used the West Coast offense — a system dependent upon short passing. It worked; the Packers won Super Bowl XLV.     

He could install these concepts to reduce Prescott’s mistakes and maintain his confidence.