Cowboys VP still preaches Dak Prescott, Super Bowl optimism
Despite yet another playoff shortcoming this winter, Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones remains optimistic that the team can reach their first Super Bowl in nearly three decades with Dak Prescott at quarterback.
"I've got all the faith in the world we can win this thing with Dak," Jones said at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, per ESPN's Todd Archer.
Prescott struggled mightily during the Cowboys' divisional round loss against the San Francisco 49ers in January, going 23-for-37 for 206 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions and finished with a 63.6 quarterback rating (his worst since Week 1).
Someone in the team's social media department wasn't happy with the two-time Pro Bowl signal-caller's effort, seeming to place direct blame on Prescott in the aftermath of the defeat.
Since the 29-year-old took over as the team's starting quarterback during his 2016 rookie season, Dallas has made the playoffs four times but failed to make it past the divisional round. The run of postseason failures didn't begin with Prescott though, as the franchise hasn't been past the divisional round since it won its last Super Bowl in January 1996.
"We know what he's about. His leadership skills are undeniable. Impeccable work ethic," Jones said of Prescott. "Other than he hadn't won some key playoff games, he's everything you want in a quarterback. From the day he walked in the door, he's won a lot of games. We just got to get over the hump."
It was reported earlier in February that the Cowboys were "intrigued" by quarterback prospect C.J. Stroud (a possible top-five pick), which would put Prescott's future with the franchise in doubt.
Prescott (who missed five games last season, but still tied for the NFL interception lead with 15) is slated to count $49.2 million against the 2023 salary cap and is signed through 2024.
Archer reports that if Dallas were to restructure the Mississippi State product this year, they can "create up to $22 million in cap space. With an extension, they could create even more room."
It sounds like that's exactly what Cowboys' brass is thinking.
"We've got to have a plan to ultimately extend Dak," Jones said.
The 2023 NFL Draft runs from April 27 to April 29.
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