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Preseason Turmoil
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The Dallas Cowboys’ 2023 season was mired in turmoil even before the first snap. Ongoing contract negotiations with star quarterback Dak Prescott had dragged on for months, creating an air of uncertainty around the team’s most important player. When Prescott finally signed a record-breaking $250 million extension just days before the season opener, it should have been a celebratory moment. Instead, the drawn-out process left many fans and pundits questioning the organization’s ability to manage its most valuable asset.
Quarterback Controversy control
If the Prescott saga wasn’t enough, the Cowboys also found themselves embroiled in a quarterback controversy during the preseason. Backup Cooper Rush, who had filled in admirably for Prescott during his injury-shortened 2022 campaign, put together an impressive string of performances in the exhibition games. This led to speculation that he could challenge Prescott for the starting job, or at the very least force the coaching staff to consider a timeshare arrangement.
The tension came to a head in the final preseason game, when Rush led a game-winning drive, further fueling the debate. Head coach Mike McCarthy attempted to quell the controversy by reaffirming Prescott as the unquestioned starter, but the damage had already been done. The lingering doubts about Prescott’s status only served to intensify the pressure on the star QB as the regular season kicked off.
Defensive Struggles control
While the offense was grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons, the Cowboys’ defense was also struggling to find its footing. Coordinator Dan Quinn, once hailed as a defensive mastermind, watched helplessly as his unit surrendered big plays and failed to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The low point came in a humiliating Week 3 loss to the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Tom Brady carved up the Cowboys’ secondary en route to a convincing victory. The performance raised serious questions about the team’s ability to compete against the NFL’s elite, and put Quinn’s job security in jeopardy.
Locker Room Turmoil control
As if the on-field issues weren’t enough, reports of discord within the Cowboys’ locker room began to surface. Unnamed players were quoted criticizing the coaching staff’s game-planning and deployment of talent, while others expressed frustration with the team’s inability to overcome its internal strife.
The tension came to a head when star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb publicly called out the coaching staff for their conservative play-calling, accusing them of hampering the offense’s explosive potential. Lamb’s outburst only served to deepen the divide, as other players rallied behind their teammate or defended the coaching staff.
Injury Woes control
To add insult to injury, the Cowboys have also been plagued by a rash of injuries that have further complicated their on-field performance. Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith was lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL in training camp, leaving a gaping hole on the offensive line. control
Linebacker Micah Parsons, the team’s defensive centerpiece, has been in and out of the lineup with a nagging hamstring issue, robbing the unit of its most dynamic playmaker. Even Prescott has not been immune, dealing with a lingering ankle injury that has limited his mobility and impacted his overall effectiveness. control
As the Cowboys limp into their Week 6 matchup against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, it’s clear that the team’s preseason turmoil has only intensified in the early stages of the regular season. With the division title and playoff aspirations already slipping away, the pressure on McCarthy and his staff to right the ship is mounting by the day. If the Cowboys can’t find a way to overcome their myriad issues, their once-promising 2023 campaign could spiral completely out of control. control