FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott is incredibly fortunate Jerry Jones made him the NFL’s highest-paid player just a few hours before this epic failure of a season began for the Cowboys.
Whether Jones regrets that decision is something we are unlikely to ever know.
As it was, Prescott won the negotiation -- because he applied what was arguably the most leverage any NFL quarterback has ever had, and his timing was exceptional after having led the NFL in touchdown passes and finishing second in the MVP voting last season.
Personally, I’m pleased that Prescott got his record contract.
He’s undoubtedly relieved as he begins the long rehab process on his injured hamstring. The Cowboys, on the other hand? At least privately, they might feel much differently about the way things played out.
Imagine if Prescott had been forced to play out the final year of his last contract before getting a new one -- as Jones initially threatened. He just had season-ending surgery, marking the second time in five seasons his season will conclude prematurely and on injured-reserve.
Where would things stand now in that timeline?
It would be a whole new world, that's for sure. In this coming offseason, the Cowboys will likely have their highest NFL Draft pick since they took Ezekiel Elliott fourth overall in 2016 -- the same draft where they later selected Prescott, coincidentally.
Without a contract inked, the Cowboys would sure seem more likely to draft a quarterback to replace Prescott rather than re-sign him to prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
In that scenario, Prescott would be seeking a contract after coming off the worst statistical season of his nine-year career, entering his age-32 season, with a 2-5 postseason record, all while recovering from a second major surgery on his right leg.
Maybe some desperate team would have signed Prescott to a top-of-the-market contract in order to lure him away from Dallas. But I doubt it would have approximated what the Cowboys are currently paying Prescott to be their quarterback for the next four seasons.
Should Jones replace Mike McCarthy at the conclusion of the season, as so many are speculating, it will be interesting to see how those interested in coaching the Cowboys view Prescott and his contract. Is his presence something that attracts coaches? Or is the salary-cap commitment so enormous that it will be perceived as a negative, given the difficulty building a competitive team with fewer remaining assets?
As it is, the Cowboys will confront eight games with backup Cooper Rush at the helm as they challenge franchise records for offensive futility.
I remind you: That includes Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson’s first-year teams, which were a combined 1-26-1.
Beasts of the East
This will almost assuredly become the 20th consecutive season that the NFC East crowns a different champion than it did the year prior.
Washington and Philadelphia are currently competing for first place, and both teams are prominently coached by former Dallas assistants: Dan Quinn is head coach of the Commanders, and Kellen Moore is the Eagles’ offensive coordinator.
Not coincidentally. both Washington and Philadelphia improved their teams at the expense of Dallas and New York during the offseason. The Commanders took Quinn, then signed Dante Fowler (third in the NFL in sacks), Dorance Armstrong and center Tyler Biadasz. And the Eagles made the move Giants owner John Mara most feared: They signed Saquon Barkley.
Helping themselves, and hurting their division rivals simultaneously? It doesn't get much better than that.
Numbers don't lie
The Cowboys have a .333 winning percentage this season, their worst under Mike McCarthy.
Their 19.7 points per game, 315 offensive yards per game, 83.7 rushing yards per game and two turnovers per game are also all the team's worst marks in a season under McCarthy.
Turns out, you can’t lose pass rushers, cornerbacks and your quarterback and still win in the NFL.
Built for adversity
When asked by Pat McAfee on his ESPN show about the drama between Micah Parsons and McCarthy, quarterback Aaron Rodgers supported his former coach in Green Bay.
"I love Mike," Rodgers said. "Mike's Pittsburgh Yough through and through, man. Love Mike. Thirteen incredible years together."
He continued: "I ain't got much to say besides that, man. Mike's my boy. I love Mike and, y'know, sometimes some people say things -- s--- I've said a lot of things I want to say back, I'd like to have said back -- [but] what I know about Mike is, if anybody can handle that down there, it's Big Mike. Big Mike is built for adversity."
A great story?
Speaking to the media on Thursday, McCarthy referred to the Cowboys current existence in what he called “The Valley of Adversity.’’
“I'm trying to say this nicely: I'm not a big fan of drama,’’ McCarthy said. “You know that personality is something that I've had to learn to as a coach, to engage with and work with and so forth.
“I’m never going to try to be somebody else. I think it’s important for all of us to operate in that phase, because we were all brought here for a reason. We’ve done good things together. So we need to continue to work and stay convicted to that commitment.
“If anything, these moments really confirm who you are and why you’re here. That’s the way I look at it. I think this is an incredible opportunity for this football team, what’s in front of us. To be in this valley of adversity, to come out of this would be a great story.’’
McCarthy finished with this: “Everybody has a responsibility to manage what’s going on.’’
Historically bad
The Cowboys have four consecutive losses and remain winless at home. Their -94 point differential in those four home defeats is the worst in NFL history for a team that made the playoffs the previous season.
McCarthy's next stop?
Micah Parsons might be correct in speculating McCarthy could leave Dallas and work elsewhere.
One potential fit? The New Orleans Saints, which became the second NFL team this season to create an opening for a head coach after firing Dennis Allen.
Depending on what happens in Dallas, McCarthy might be a viable candidate there.
When he failed to have his Cowboys contract extended, McCarthy changed agents from Trace Armstrong to Don Yee, who represents Sean Payton. Payton, you'll recall, became a Super Bowl-winning head coach in New Orleans.
That franchise played an important role in McCarthy’s career, too. He became an NFL playcaller for the first time as the Saints' offensive coordinator from 2000-2004.
Saints General Manger Mickey Loomis can obtain direct inside knowledge about McCarthy, too. His son Alex Loomis is the Cowboys Director of Pro Scouting.
'Last week is last week'
There’s pressure on Cooper Rush to perform after his horrendous first start as the replacement for Dak Prescott this year. He lost a fumble on the second possession, and injured his neck and shoulder in the failed attempt to recover.
But the Cowboys set or tied season lows in six major categories in that game. The team had its season-worst in points scored (6), total yards (146), pass yards (49) and first downs (11). Dallas also tied season lows in both touchdowns (0) and giveaways (5).
CeeDee Lamb, for his part, had a season-low 21 receiving yards on 10 targets in Prescott’s absence.
“The work is going to get done," Lamb said. "I take full responsibility for getting in sync with him. We're going to ride this thing out through the rest of the season, so I have the most confidence in him. I don't care what happened last week. Last week is last week. So with that being said, we've got a game to win."
'I hate that for him'
CeeDee Lamb on Dak Prescott being out for the season: “I hate that for him. He just had surgery and we pray for his speedy recovery. We're all thinking about him. But as far as for us, we've got to go out there and compete for him as if he is there -- as far as the competitive spirit, the leadership and everything he's expecting. We've got to step up."
Mingo ready for debut
Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is expected to make his debut for the Cowboys Monday night. He was acquired in a trade with Carolina and was inactive last week, allowing time for acclimating and learning playbook.
I asked McCarthy his early impressions of Mingo.
"I think he's everything we thought he was when we made the transaction," McCarthy said. "Just the work ethic. [He] has come right in, picking it up quickly. I've been impressed with that. The inside-outside flexibility and what he was physically is definitely there. He’s shown some vertical juice. So he’s done a nice job."
Looking ahead to Monday
The Cowboys play host to the Texans on Monday night.
Houston has lost back-to-back games for the first time since losing the first two NFL starts of C.J. Stroud’s career last season.
Stroud has been sacked 34 times, second-most in the NFL and the 269 lost yards on sacks is the most by any player in the league.
Trouble looming
The Cowboys should be concerned about having their streak of home games without a touchdown being extended to three. The Texans head coach and defensive play-caller is DeMeco Ryans. He formerly ran the defense in San Francisco, and the scheme in Houston is nearly identical.
The Cowboys have lost four straight to 49ers, totaling 17, 19, 10 and 24 points. That’s just 17.5 points per game — with Prescott the starting quarterback.
Where's the rush?
The Cowboys have played a franchise-record 23 consecutive games without a 100-yard rusher. Mike McCarthy finally declared the running-back-by-committee approach is over, and has identified Rico Dowdle as the No. 1 back.
Dowdle said the running back room knew the concept was a failure, and he believes he will be more effective knowing the position belongs to him.
He says developing a rhythm and not chasing long runs is important. He also expects to be stronger and harder to tackle late in games.
'Go out there and compete'
A final thought about where the Cowboys find themselves this week from 11-year veteran offensive guard Zack Martin: “It starts with our preparation and going to work each day and trying to get better and then going out there and playing with that confidence and swagger that we know we can go out there and compete and win football games.’’