The Dallas Cowboys begin a new era in 2023 — at least on the offensive side of the ball. With former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore now the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, it means head coach Mike McCarthy will implement his offense.
The Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer as their new offensive coordinator, but he will not be the play-caller, a job that McCarthy himself will handle. In turn, this means McCarthy will work even more closely with quarterback Dak Prescott, something the quarterback spoke about briefly during OTAs on Friday.
Prescott offered a positive early review of the offense while also praising McCarthy, citing how “refreshing” it’s been to work with him daily, as The Athletic’s Jon Machota detailed.
“As we broke (practice today), (McCarthy) said, ‘Go look at everything we put in and make sure we’re running the things you like and the things we’re good at. If it’s something you’re a little iffy about, let’s get it out. Let’s master what we’re great at.’ Just having that clear communication, being able to work with him day in and day out, it’s new, it’s refreshing, it’s fun for both of us.”
The aspect of the Cowboys taking plays out of the playbook that Prescott doesn’t like could go a long way for the Cowboys. Throughout his career, the 29-year-old quarterback has been at his best when he’s able to get into a consistent offensive game flow, but even more so when he can continue to ride the hot hand offensively and build off early-game chemistry.
CeeDee Lamb should be among primary players who’ll benefit
If the game plan for the Cowboys offense is focused around Prescott and the rest of the top playmakers, there’s likely going to be no player to benefit more than star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The 24-year-old former first-round pick was dominant at times during the 2022 NFL season and had the best year of his career.
Lamb finished last season with career-best numbers almost across the board. He totaled 107 receptions for 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns. He also posted a career-high mark in catch percentage at 68.6 percent. Lamb and Prescott showed a great rapport and the potential to become one of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the NFL.
The Cowboys’ talented duo also managed this huge step forward during a season when the team struggled to find consistency outside of Lamb at wide receiver. Michael Gallup, who was returning from a torn ACL, didn’t look quite himself for the bulk of the season, and the Cowboys didn’t have a set solution at the No. 3 wide receiver spot.
Implementing both McCarthy’s offense and a mindset hyper-focused on the Cowboys’ best players working with a playbook built around their own comfort has the potential to set up Prescott, Lamb and numerous others for a huge season.
