Jerry Jones says Cowboys, Dak Prescott can ‘be better’،
INDIANAPOLIS — The disappointment over the Dallas Cowboys' playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers may have diminished over the past 47 days, but owner and general manager Jerry Jones decided to make some decisions as his team is looking towards 2024.
“We had a very disappointing finish. We had a very good year, in my opinion, before we lost the last football game,” Jones said during a 42-minute session with local scouting group reporters. of the NFL in Indianapolis. “We had great coaching and we had great play.
“We blew it in the last football game. You don't throw it away because of what we did in the last football game. That should be obvious. That's what we do. I'm really picking wisely. selective. the good things we did and being energized by them. And I take the good things we didn't do and I'm sick of them.”
During the Senior Bowl, Jones used the term “all in” to describe the team's approach through 2024. Asked about it again Friday, it didn't sound like the Cowboys would be heavily involved in the top of lineup of the upcoming free agent market. , but Jones offered an explanation of what “all in” means to him.
“We're just thinking about the team that's going to be on the field this year,” Jones said. “And we all know that every team in this league has limitations on where they stand on the cap and where they stand in the draft and where they stand with their free agents, who they can use the “franchise label. You only get one. … All those kinds of things.
“But what I mean is we can be better. Dak [Prescott] can perhaps play better than he has, perhaps we could argue that this is one of the best years he has ever had in his career. But the good news is I'm confident he can play better and I'm confident we can do some things better across the board, so we're all in.”
Prescott's contract expires after 2024 and the Cowboys cannot give him the franchise tag in 2025. Without an extension, Prescott would have to count $59.45 million against the salary cap. The Cowboys can lower their cap hit with a new deal that could make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL or simply restructure his current deal and create about $18 million in cap space while adding cap space. dead money in 2025.
Jones said the Cowboys will work on Prescott's contract in the near future in hopes of a new deal. Without a deal, Prescott would hit the open market in 2025.
“No, I’m not afraid of that,” Jones said. “Well, because I decided to be better than last year. And that's where the emphasis would be. Every player you have has a certain amount of time at the end of their contract. You would walk with the jerks if you feared it.” You can't because they're all coming. They can all be injured. They can all lose a little talent. “
“So this isn't all fear. I know you're asking for a reaction to this. It's my job to know when someone gets hurt or when their career is coming to an end or when things aren't not negotiated, it is my duty.” work to do something else.”
Prescott led the NFL in touchdown passes with 36 last season and had just nine interceptions after tying for the league lead in 2023. He was named to the All-Pro second team in his first season with head coach Mike McCarthy calling the plays. Jones believes the second year of the McCarthy-Prescott duo will lead to more improvement.
“What we do or don't do there [with Prescott’s contract]“I can’t say right now,” Jones said, “but the bottom line is he’s going to be our quarterback.”
Prescott isn't the only decision to make. The Cowboys have 16 players set to become free agents. They met with the agent of tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz on Friday, but there were no substantive discussions with any players, including Prescott, All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and All-Pro passer Micah Parsons – who is eligible for a contract extension for the first time this offseason.
On Smith, who is entering his 14th season and hasn't played a full season since 2015 due to injuries: “We're going to go about it the right way, discuss his stuff and find something that's good for both of us. He had a great career. He's a Hall of Fame player. And not only that, his personal life is one of the great stories I've been a part of with players, or coaches or anyone, commissioners or anyone in the NFL. So where I'm going with this is definitely to get something that would put him on the field.”
On Lamb, who is entering the final year of his contract and is set to earn $17.9 million: “Our goal is to extend CeeDee and we plan to do that. … We want to extend CeeDee.”
There will be financial decisions to be made regarding receiver Michael Gallup and a career decision made by linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who missed the final 12 games last year with a neck injury. Jones said the Cowboys' focus on the field is improving the run offense and defense, which includes decisions being made regarding free agents running back Tony Pollard and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins .
McCarthy, who led the Cowboys to 36 regular season wins and three straight playoff appearances from 2021-2023, is also entering the final year of his contract. New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who replaced Dan Quinn after he left as head coach of the Washington Commanders, also joined the team on a one-year contract.
It could be “all in”, or whatever.
“We're going to find every solution or work so that the solution is to win this year,” Jones said. “All solutions. And that's what I mean by 'all inclusive'.”
