Drafting a QB in the first round, even a highly touted QB coming out of college is no guarantee. See Daniel Jones, Trevor Lawrence, and so many other QBs taken early.
I admit, taking a top prospect out of college improves the chances of finding that guy, but most of them still fall short.
IMO, the money being paid to QBs is unsustainable. Either owners have to show restraint, or they need to change their identity. We can win with Dak, but not if we think of him a s a top QB capable of pulling the trailer. It's too late of course because Jerry already paid Dak to be something he can never be. Pay Dak $45 million, and build a running game and stout defense, and the Cowboys could win with Dak. But if you ask Dak to do what Mahomes does, or Josh Allen in Buffalo, then you will be disappointed.
Tom Brady made the point last night that the threat of Jayden Daniels running changed the Detroit defense and left them vulnerable to certain plays up the middle. The point is, you have to have a real threat or threats on offense to beat modern defenses. The Cowboys have no real threats except CeeDee. There is no running game. There is no real deep threat. There is no threat of screens. Dak has to do far more than he has the talent to do. A wise GM would put lots of talent around Dak so he always has a target to throw to or to hand off to. This is what Kingsbury has done for Daniels, plus Daniels is a very elusive runner himself who can make big plays. It works for Washington.
Detroit has done this with Goff. Goff is successful until he has to throw the football. Then he reverts to Jared Goff. Detroit is built for defense as well, but all the injuries prevented them from being who they really are. Their game plan is to let Goff succeed because he doesn't have to carry the entire burden.
Goff got $53 million from Detroit but his 2024 CAP his was $27 million. His 2025 CAP hit is $32 million. His 2026 CAP hit is $69 million but that is still $20 million lower than Dak's $89 million in 2025.
Don't get me wrong. I think Dallas now needs to find a replacement for Dak. Getting a young rookie to replace Dak would be a great start. I have nothing against Dak but his contract is an Albatross.
