Kyler Murray is on a pivotal year this upcoming season. He either takes the next big step or he plummets the way of most short running QBs. Also I think we may have seen the total capacity of Lamar Jackson. What you see is what you get.
For Dak everybody is going confused as heck on what he is going to be. This next season puts him one year away from lower leg injuries. Can he answer the bell in:
1. Audible decision making.
2. Confidence in his game. He finally admitted he wasn't playing well despite his in season protestations to the media.
3. His ability to make something out of nothing. This is a standard deliverable for a $40 Million dollar QB.
4. Reducing his turnovers. He fumbled way to much, and combined with his interceptions he was in the top three for turnovers.
5. Lead the team in what really matters. It's great for locker room leaders to be supportive of other team mates, but clearly this team needs to find ways to speak to each other safely and call each other out on the mistakes that kill their team. Having a team lead the league in both penalties and be at the top in unforced error penalties is not a good sign of focus and efficiency. He needs to step up for the offensive side of the team and make this part of his expectations of his team mates on the field.
6. Lead accountability for jobs that need to be done. Make the simple and standard plays. Do your job!
If he can make better decisions, be confident, reduce turnovers, reduce penalties, sharpen our focus and do the job on each play I like the team's chances, and the opportunity for Dak to have the break out year we all hope he can as Cowboys fans.
That is what $40 million should buy a team. The standard may be an impossible one, but it speaks to the things that derailed Dak and this team.
My hope is his revelation to Rich Eisen is something he focuses on this off-season. Where he goes is where this team goes.