Unlikely player gives Cowboys perfect blueprint to extend Dak Prescott’s career

Many Dallas Cowboys fans thought the season would turn around after it was revealed that Dak Prescott would need surgery on his hamstring. In the unlikeliest of surprises, however, the Cowboys have won three of their last four games.

The struggling Mike McCarthy’s currently have a less than 1% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. While the playoffs are a dream, it’s impressive that Dallas isn’t mathematically eliminated since they were 3-7 just a month ago.

Still, it’s time to look ahead to 2025. Several players on the roster, most of whom are free agents, have made a strong case for signing new contracts. Osa Odighizuwa and Jourdan Lewis have played at a Pro Bowl level, while Carl Lawson has had a productive year rushing the quarterback.

That said, there is one player who has given Dallas the ideal blueprint for extending Prescott’s career: running back Rico Dowdle.

Rico Dowdle gives the Cowboys the perfect plan to extend Dak Prescott’s career

Dowdle has been a revelation since the Cowboys declared him their lead back. That it took more than half the season for that to happen is a travesty, but we digress.

With 149 rushing yards in Sunday’s win over Carolina, Dowdle became the first undrafted free agent in a decade with three straight 100-yard games. Dowdle ranks either first or second during that span in rushing yards, yards after contact, explosive runs (rushes of 10 or more yards), missed tackles, fumbles and runs resulting in a first down, according to Pro Football Focus.

RELATED: Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle reaches feat not seen in NFL in decade

Dowdle should not be the focal point of the offense moving forward. It’s CeeDee Lamb who made more Cowboys history on Sunday. But whether or not Mike McCarthy is back, running the football should be Dallas’ identity next year, and Dowdle should absolutely be a part of that.

With Dowdle as the focal point of the offense, the Cowboys have won three of their last four games with Cooper Rush under center. While Prescott proved in 2023 by finishing second in MVP voting that he is capable of running an offense, he has historically thrived with the benefit of a strong running game.

Prescott will turn 32 before the start of next season. He’s not “injury prone” by any means, but two major leg injuries in four years, both of which required season-ending surgery, is alarming.

The Cowboys’ window is wide open as long as Prescott is healthy and under contract. The front office’s primary goal should be to extend his career. The easiest way to do it is not to ask him to do everything, ie. become a run-first offense.

With Dowdle emerging as a more than capable starter, Dallas has a golden opportunity to draft a rookie somewhere on day two to give Prescott a two-headed monster in the backfield. That should be the way forward, and it’s possible thanks to Dowdle’s coming out party.

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