The Dallas Cowboys‘ quarterback saga has more twists and turns than a Texas tornado. With Dak Prescott entering the final year of his four-year, $160 million contract, Jerry Jones and company are facing a decision that could make or break America’s team.

LeSean McCoy, former NFL running back, didn’t pull any punches when discussing the Cowboys’ predicament on “Speak” today. “What do you want him to do?” McCoy asked, referring to Jerry Jones’ recent “all in” statement. “That’s some of the most talented teams I’ve ever seen in years. You’ve got a great secondary, you’ve got a great pass rush, you’ve got a great offensive line, a solid defensive line, great wide receivers for the most part, a solid quarterback, and a decent running back. What else do you want? A Dream Team?”

The thing is, the Cowboys have been more stacked than a Texas BBQ platter. They have had 9 All-Pros, an offensive line that can move mountains and a defense led by Micah Parsons who’s a human wrecking ball personifying one of the most dangerous squads in the league. But when it comes to playoff success, the team has often come up as empty handed as kids searching for toys hidden by adults during Easter celebrations. During Prescott’s current contract, however, despite finishing 12-5 every year, the Dallas Cowboys have only managed to win one game.

Given his recent statement, “I’m all in… We’re all in. It’s all right there”, Jerry Jones might just be the eternal optimist. CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons will want new contracts after this season and with 30 players on expiring contracts, Dallas Cowboys’ financial juggling makes Cirque du Soleil look like child’s play. In admitting this difficulty himself, Jones said, “Believe it or not, in my life, I’ve had a lot of things in life that I wanted that I couldn’t get because I couldn’t afford it.”

This predicament draws eerie parallels to the Los Angeles Rams‘ situation with Jared Goff a few years ago. Despite leading the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance, Goff was ultimately traded to the Detroit Lions in a move that shocked the NFL world.

Emmanuel Acho, former NFL linebacker, sees the Goff situation as a potential blueprint for the Cowboys. “Sean McVay looked at Jared Goff, and he said to himself, ‘You got me to a Super Bowl, you’re a number one overall pick… but good’s not good enough,'” Acho explained. “Got rid of Jared Goff, instantly won a Super Bowl. I’m not necessarily saying that Dak Prescott is or isn’t Jared Goff. I’m simply saying eventually you have to look yourself in the mirror and say good’s not good enough.”

Sean McVay’s playbook is a blueprint for bold coaching decisions in Dallas

Move on from Goff was about anything but smooth for the Rams. According to McVay (ESPN) “Yes, I wish there was better, clearer communication.”It was so abrupt that Goff’s final conversation with McVay consisted of a terse “OK” before hanging up to take a call from his father.

McVay’s decision wasn’t done lightly. The Rams suffered a decline in their offensive output following the Super Bowl LIII defeat by New England Patriots with 13-3 scoreline and missed the 2019 playoffs. After being defeated by Green Bay Packers in the divisional playoff round of the 2020 season, McVay and GM Les Snead refused to reiterate Goff as their starting quarterback.

The opportunity to acquire Matthew Stafford changed everything. As McVay explained, “That was why that decision was made and that was why things came together as quickly as they did because we felt like it was a rare opportunity to acquire a player of Matthew’s caliber. Those opportunities just don’t come up often.”

Goff, for his part, felt blindsided. “I’m just excited to be somewhere that I know wants me and appreciates me,” he told NFL.com after the trade, in a thinly disguised shot at McVay.

The gamble paid off for the Rams. Stafford ignited the offense, tying for third in the NFL with 16 touchdown passes in his first six games – the most by any quarterback through his first six games with a team in NFL history, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Could Cowboys take such a route? Jerry Jones seems to be more attached to Prescott than any cowboy would be to his dear horse.“I do not think this will be his last year with the Cowboys at all,” he stated this week. Nevertheless, with salary cap tighter than spurs on a boot, there are some tough decisions ahead. According to Jones, “70 percent of your whole payroll” will go towards Prescott, Lamb, and Parsons eventually.

Head coach Mike McCarthy, also in the final year of his contract, seems focused on the task at hand rather than contract talks. “The contract conversations, we talked about that back in the spring, and that’s where that lies with me. That’s not the way we’re wired. We can’t be wired that way. We’re on an 11-hour workday,” McCarthy stated on Thursday.

As the Cowboys saddle up for another season with expectations higher than a ten-gallon hat, the clock is ticking on Dak Prescott’s future in Dallas. Will Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy have the guts to make a McVay-esque decision? Or will they ride this bronco till it bucks them off? As James Jones put it, “McCarthy, you’ve got to show up. Truth be told, Dak, you’ve got to show up. This roster is so nice.”