Dak Prescott
Prescott got what he wanted from the Cowboys last offseason, earning a four-year, $240 million contract extension. This was the highest average annual value in a contract in NFL history.
Following the extension, the 2024 season didn't go according to plan. Prescott had a down year after his MVP-caliber 2023 campaign before suffering a hamstring injury that ruled him out for the second half of the season. In his eight starts, Prescott had 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 64.7% completion rate, leading the Cowboys to a 3-5 record.
It is believed that Schottenheimer had Prescott's endorsement before the hiring. The star QB had publicly come out in favor of retaining Mike McCarthy but once that fell through, hiring Schottenheimer was considered to be a preferable option for Prescott.
During Prescott's career-best 2023 season, Schottenheimer was the offensive coordinator. McCarthy was calling the plays then but having Schottenheimer on the sideline during his most productive campaign presumably makes him think that he can go back to his old self under him. That season was also the only year in which a Schottenheimer-led offense was a top-ten passing offense in the league.
As he enters his tenth year in Dallas, Prescott needs to show that he can win at the highest levels. Schottenheimer will be his third head coach in the NFL, and if he fails to get over the hump with him, Prescott will be in question in Dallas. A crucial season awaits Prescott.