Recently, Cam Newton sparked debate by suggesting the Dallas Cowboys should move on from Dak Prescott if he fails to lead the team to the NFC Championship game, also recommending they bring in Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning next year. Newton’s remarks reflect ongoing frustration over Prescott’s postseason performances, but former NFL star LeSean McCoy voiced a differing perspective on the matter.
McCoy, a two-time Super Bowl winner including the 2020 title with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, addressed Newton’s critique during an interview on “The Facility.”
“The same thing Cam is saying, I’ve been saying it for a while,” McCoy said on Friday, via “The Facility.” “After they lost in the playoffs to the Niners while at home, I said ‘I don’t know if Dak’s the guy. It’s like they get into these big moments and he doesn’t get it done.’ OK, next year, they go back to the Niners and he played worse. I said, they can’t win with him.”
McCoy noted that Prescott’s struggles in critical playoff moments have been a persistent issue over multiple seasons. Despite strong regular-season showings, Prescott has repeatedly failed to deliver postseason success, yet he remains the Cowboys’ starter.
“And then, to the Packers the next year. I said the same thing and he’s still there. So Cam, I see what you’re saying, but Dak Prescott for some reason, is the only guy that gets away with these things. No matter how good Dak plays in the regular season, he gets to the playoffs and he doesn’t deliver. I think Dak will always somehow find a way to get out of blame.”
Why the Cowboys are likely committed to Prescott through 2027
Despite external calls for change, the Dallas Cowboys appear set to retain Dak Prescott for several more seasons, largely due to financial and contractual realities. Prescott is currently in the second year of a lucrative contract, structured to push significant salary cap implications into future years. This effectively ties the team and Prescott together until at least 2027, making a parting of ways costly and complicated.
The suggestion that the Cowboys could look to draft Arch Manning as a replacement also seems improbable. Manning himself has indicated no intention of entering the NFL Draft before 2027, putting the Cowboys on hold regarding any switch to a younger quarterback.
Prescott faces intense pressure to lead the Cowboys back from a disappointing 7-10 record last season, especially as the team has worked to improve its roster in the offseason. His performance will be scrutinized heavily, but his role as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback is expected to remain secure for now.
Implications of Prescott’s continued tenure with the Cowboys
The ongoing reliance on Dak Prescott underscores the complexity of quarterback transitions in the NFL, especially when salary and contract structures constrain roster changes. While fans and analysts debate Prescott’s playoff shortcomings, Dallas’s ownership seems hesitant or unable to move on quickly due to financial commitments.
This situation suggests that the Cowboys will need to focus on maximizing their current roster around Prescott in the near term, aiming to break through in the playoffs with him at the helm or face prolonged uncertainty. The team’s success in the coming seasons may determine whether pressure to replace Prescott intensifies or dissipates.