Dak Prescott Under Pressure After Cowboys Bold Moves

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys' defense was abysmal during the 7-10 disaster in 2024. The team surrendered the second-most points in the NFL and finished 28th in yards allowed.

So, naturally, the offseason has been devoted to making things easier on the offense, specifically Dak Prescott. Coming off a sub-par year in which he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, the excuses are gone for the NFL's highest-paid player.

The 31-year-old quarterback has only two playoff wins in nine seasons, but he clearly retains the confidence of owner Jerry Jones. And now, after a flurry of moves, he also has a fresh load of resources at his disposal.

The Cowboys' offense this season has endured the departures of future Hall-of-Fame guard Zack Martin to retirement, and running back Rico Dowdle, receiver Brandin Cooks and backup quarterback Cooper Rush to free agency. But here come the reinforcements.

In obviously "Dak-friendly" moves, the Cowboys have used their free-agency and draft currency to surround Prescott with upgraded weapons.

In free agency they signed running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders and receiver Parris Campbell. In the draft, they used a first-round pick on offensive lineman Tyler Booker and a fifth-rounder on Texas running back Jayden Blue. Jerry also engineered trades for backup quarterback Joe Milton III and, this week, receiver George Pickens.

Barring significant injuries, the Cowboys envision Dak lining up with an offense that features Blue at running back, Jake Ferguson at tight end and receivers CeeDee Lamb, Pickens, Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo (acquired in a 2024 trade). All that behind an offensive line that should feature three first-round draft picks in the last four years in Booker, Tyler Guyton and Tyler Smith.

Jerry is blamed for being the common denominator in the Cowboys' almost 30-year Super Bowl drought. If the offense sputters this season, Dak - who's been here spanning Jason Garrett, Mike McCarthy and now Brian Schottenheimer - should expect some of the same criticism.