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The Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads – do they double down on Dak Prescott as their franchise QB, or test the waters elsewhere? Despite leading “America’s Team” to the playoffs for three straight years, doubts linger over whether Prescott has what it takes to win the “big game” and bring a Super Bowl back to Jerry World.

Amidst the QB conundrum, Jerry Jones has made a calculated power move – drafting Trey Lance as Prescott’s potential heir apparent. While Stephen Jones insists Prescott can “lead us to a championship,” the team’s hesitancy to go all-in with a mega-extension speaks volumes. As analysts like Nick Wright theorize, the Cowboys may be issuing Prescott a subtle challenge this season – prove your Super Bowl credentials or risk getting Wally Pipp’d by the young gun QB waiting in the wings, just like Aaron Rodgers took over for Brett Favre all those years ago.

Why the Cowboys are hesitant to fully commit to Dak Prescott?

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The writing is on the wall – the Cowboys are having doubts about handing Dak Prescott a blank check as their franchise quarterback. “I’m not going to say I fear being here or not. I don’t fear either situation, to be candid with you,” Prescott stated to reporters some time back, hinting at his openness to moving on from Dallas.

The hesitancy seems rooted in Prescott’s inability to get it done on the biggest stages. “Dak looked shook,” in that playoff loss to Green Bay, former Packer Greg Jennings asserted in the FIRST THINGS FIRST segment, questioning if the 2-time Pro Bowler has the “clutch gene” to win a Super Bowl. Analyst Nick Wright theorized the Cowboys are essentially putting Prescott to the test this year – succeed without a stacked supporting cast, or risk getting removed by incoming rookie Trey Lance down the road.

Chris Broussard offered a balanced take, believing Prescott could thrive in the right system: “If I’ve got a top sevenish defense or run game, then I think Dak can be that game manager plus that wins a Super Bowl.” However, puzzling moves like bringing back fading vet Ezekiel Elliott rather than adding offensive firepower suggest the Cowboys are intentionally declining to fully arm Prescott for success.

By keeping their QB on the franchise tag treadmill, drafting his potential successor in Lance, and refusing to bolster his supporting cast, the Cowboys seem to be issuing Prescott an ultimatum – prove you’re a true championship-caliber QB this season with the hand you’re dealt, or we may have to cut bait.

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A youthful shift in the Cowboys’ QB dynamics?

In a bold power move that could have major implications for Prescott, Jerry Jones has unveiled his strategic plan for the Cowboys’ future under center – stockpiling young quarterback talent. The acquisition of Trey Lance represents “an opportunity to work and develop a young quarterback” Jones proclaimed to the pressors, one they’ll give “every chance to be the QB he’s got the potential of being.”

via Getty

While Jones lauded Prescott as “the best leader I ever saw,” the 81-year-old’s comments hint at bigger machinations afoot. “When you see us rolling off some of our great names…they’ve got to be coming with some young guys behind them,” Jones ominously stated, suggesting an inevitable youth movement is looming in Dallas.

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So while Stephen Jones insists Prescott can bring a championship to Dallas – Prescott is essentially on an audition this season to prove his long-term viability. Fail to deliver, and the Pied Piper that is Lance could be luring “America’s Team” in a new, younger direction at QB.