The thing I've never understood is the Dak love that has flowed since his rookie year. He comes in and takes over a fully primed offence. He has Romo and Sanchez (yeah I know.. butt fumble dude.. but he actually understood the game very weel) in his ear calling out the defence every week.. he has Dez and Witten and an O-Line giving him over 5 seconds on AVERAGE of pass protection and a hot, young RB that is literally hurdling defenders. He was asked to be a bus driver with a limited play book and keeping things 'tight'.. he EXCELS at this and the team is flying. At this point I, along with every cowboy fan, am just wondering how we got so lucky to have landed a Romo back up and perhaps secured our long term QB replacement. At this point, everything is primed for Romo to come back and take us to the SuperBowl.
Then.. the Dak love in begins to take a turn into believing he is the greatest QB to ever play, needs to 'ride the hot hand' and we need to keep our rookie in whilst our All-Pro, healthy, QB sits on the sidelines. Ummmmm what now? In a surprise to absolutely no one.. Dak ***** the bed when the pressure comes and we lose in the playoffs. However not before Dak has been anointed the chosen one. The script is now set.
Now we have Dak lovers or Dak haters and you can't be in between. You can't discuss his woeful footwork (hasn't improved much since college), you can't discuss his inaccuracy (a lovely permanent feature of mr. high and wide) and you certainly can't discuss his limitations. The media narrative that Dak is the "next big thing" is cemented and most will not deviate from this despite everything suggesting otherwise.
In 2017, Dak starts the season with Zeke and he flounders. It is not his fault because he is missing a RB and his WR. It is assumed it is just a second year glitch. Dak is still touted as the next big thing.. despite his interception rate increasing and him clearly struggling to read defences with Romo and Sanchez no longer on the sidelines.
In 2018, Dak struggles through a season beset by injuries to key players and misses long time safety blanket, Witten however the arrival of Cooper helps Dak to limp to a winning record. A solid first week play off win is Daks career highlight and potentially his best game under pressure. Even though the team is dispatched easily the week after with Dak playing a mare.. it is of course everyone elses fault and Dak is now widely regarded as a top 5 QB based on statistical analysis. Observers still note that he has woeful footwork, a weak arm, horrific accuracy and still struggles to read anything but the most basic of defences.
In 2019, Dak is given more tools on the outside and the playbook is expanded to suit his style. Witten is bought back to provide more security at the LOS and Dak is expected to step forward. Again he, and the team, struggle majorly with interceptions being a common occurrence. With Dak now approaching contract discussions, many media pundits wonder how much he is worth. Some analysts are finally seeing the gap between Dak's statistical play and actual output. The head coach is sacked and it is assumed that Dak is not the problem. Dak once again finishes as the QB of a highly rated and talent laden team outside the playoffs but with a reputation of greatness.
In 2020, Dak starts the season, along with the team, on fire. With a new coaching line up and a high flying offence of air attack.. defences are unprepared for the assault. Dak puts up some dizzying numbers yet the team still sits at 1-3 when Dak goes down with a season ending injury. The Dak love ensures that his reputation whilst sitting on the sidelines actually increases. The team finishes outside the playoffs and Daks reputation as a 'franchise' QB is entrenched.. despite his best season still being his rookie year.
In 2021, Dak signs a monster contract that many don't believe he deserves. He injures his calf and misses a game and upon his return has 2 shockers out of 3 to lead the team to a mid season wobble. Dak struggles to read defences, is inaccurate and has no footwork.
So despite the SAME flaws since his rookie year.. some still believe this guy in a franchise QB? He is an above average QB (yep.. happily will say that) but he is not elite and he is NOT a guy you pay 40M for. Bus driver at best and still has all the same flaws he had in his rookie year but now he is slower and the OLine has dropped off.
We are in big trouble moving forward when his contract actually starts to bite.