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At the 2024 NFL Draft, Jerry Jones opted to bolster the trenches and snag depth pieces, but one glaring omission raised eyebrows – a lack of offensive firepower. With Dak Prescott entering a contract year, the franchise’s strategic draft approach has some wondering if the quarterback’s future in Dallas hangs by a thread.

The numbers don’t lie – Prescott was surgical in 2023, racking up 4,516 passing yards and an NFL-high 36 touchdowns against just 9 picks. Yet according to Colin Cowherd, Jones may have “strategically” avoided loading Prescott’s arsenal, drafting zero running backs and waiting until the sixth round to snag a receiver. “It felt strategic to me to not address running back and really frankly not address receiver until the sixth round,” Cowherd stated.

Cowherd’s take paints a picture of purposeful decisions by Jones. “What Jerry doesn’t want to do is get trapped with Dak Prescott,” he theorized, implying Dallas could be hesitant to overcommit assets to an uncertain quarterback situation. This calculated approach from the Cowboys’ brain trust begs the question – are they grooming an exit strategy?

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via Imago

The doubts swirling around Prescott’s long-term future in Dallas only intensify when you factor in Trey Lance’s presence. Acquired from San Francisco last August for a 2024 fourth-rounder, the former No. 3 overall pick is positioned as Prescott’s heir apparent. Stephen Jones’ was gushing praise during a Friday appearance on The K&C Masterpiece on Audacy’s 105.3 The Fan: “He’s done nothing but excite us…his skill level. We’re very pleased.”

With a rocket arm and elite athleticism, Lance’s potential has the Cowboys dreaming of life after Prescott. For a franchise thirsting for that elusive Super Bowl return after 29 years, Jones’ calculated personnel moves spark debate. Have the Cowboys simply taken a prudent “show me” stance with their QB’s contract looming? Or are more sinister forces afoot, with Lance’s prowess foreshadowing Prescott’s potential exile from Jerry’s World?

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The sword of Damocles over Dak Prescott’s head?

As Prescott prepares to enter the bulk of his prime years, the once-unthinkable reality of him donning another uniform looms larger with each passing day. Jerry Jones dropped more than hints at the post-NFL Draft press conference “Trey Lance to looking ahead at having addressing the quarterback position depth otherwise so like I said last night I’ve got it right here again got him right here in this draft as though uh he were a draft pick for us ….I don’t want to be Elementary here but when you see us rolling off of some of our great names of guys that have been here 10 years nine years …young guys they are available now they may not be ready talent-wise but they’re available they don’t have downtimes the injuries that you have later on so these are all pluses”

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Let’s rewind the clock to last August when Jerry Jones swung a deal to bring Lance – with sky-high expectations as a former top-3 pick – into the Cowboys’ den. While brushed off as a mere depth move initially, Jones’ subsequent cooing over Lance’s “very strong arm” and “every chance to be the quarterback” he was drafted to become has set Dallas ablaze with intrigue.

For his part, Prescott has taken the high road, even embracing the role of mentor for Lance. “He’s the best I’ve ever seen or heard about,” gushed Jones about Prescott’s leadership. Yet even as he guides his potential successor, Prescott’s own future remains frankly murky, with Jones openly admitting they’ll “develop the best…for the future” under center regardless of their confidence in Dak.