Cowboys
With the offseason arriving in Dallas, the big story shifts back to Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and his contract situation. Prescott played out this past year on the franchise tag and even though he suffered a gruesome injury, it might have enhanced his position. Prescott was on pace for a monstrous season before going down and Dallas’ struggles in his absence only further highlighted his importance to the team.
“I don’t know how you could have any more leverage,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, via the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken. “Dak might be a picture postcard, so to speak. His evolving into an NFL quarterback has been nothing short of a perfect picture.”
- However, Jones said the team still faces the quandary of balancing Prescott’s contract with the rest of their roster: “We’ve got to pay additional defense this year, and any dollar that goes there doesn’t go towards another player. That’s how simple it is.” (Jon Machota)
- Jones didn’t commit to DC Mike Nolan returning in 2021, saying he wanted to see better discipline on that side of the ball: “We fell far short of what I thought our team would accomplish.” (Machota)
- Cowboys’ HC Mike McCarthy said of RB Ezekiel Elliott: “I’ve been very impressed with Zeke from Day 1. I don’t have the concerns that the outside opinion has. I have no concerns about Zeke. I think he’s still a big-time player and will be a featured piece in our offense.” (Machota)
- McCarthy also commented Prescott and how his rehab is going: “I’m looking forward to working with Dak full time. He’s here every day. He’s making progress. Everything is right on course.” (Machota)
- McCarthy declined to comment on Prescott’s contract, though: “I can’t answer the contract question. From what I see and where I am, I am very confident we are going to get that worked out. My conversation with Dak is always very positive and always with the focus on what the future holds and what we are going to do on offense, the team and his leadership.” (Todd Archer)
- Former Cowboys QB Troy Aikman said his understanding is Cowboys OC Kellen Moore had actually accepted the Boise State head coaching job and was working through the details when something came up he didn’t like, leading to him backing out and taking a three-year extension from Dallas. (Machota)
Eagles
- Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes two Eagles defensive players had to be held back from approaching HC Doug Pederson after he benched second-round QB Jalen Hurts for former third-string QB Nate Sudfeld Sunday night.
- Eagles C Jason Kelce and another offensive starter did go up to Pederson to ask him why he made the move. Hurts was also reportedly distraught despite being told during the week it was a possibility.
- Per John McMullen, Eagles RB Miles Sanders admitted in a radio interview that there was unrest among the players regarding Pederson’s decision: “Man if I’m being honest, nobody liked the decision, nobody. That’s all I can say really. I don’t know who was the main person behind that decision. All I know is that a lot of people on the team was confused.”
- Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald explains what he believes Eagles GM Howie Roseman did as an accounting trick to help get the early benefits of designating WR Alshon Jeffery and DT Malik Jackson as June 1 cuts, essentially giving those players a pay cut to the minimum and adding a void year with a trigger to ensure their release.
- Mike Kaye of NJ.com takes a look at some draft prospects who could make sense for the Eagles at No. 6 overall including LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase, Alabama WR DeVonta Smith, Oregon OT Penei Sewell, Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II, Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley, BYU QB Zach Wilson, Penn State LB Micah Parsons, Miami DE Gregory Rousseau, or Florida TE Kyle Pitts.
- Eagles DB Jalen Mills earned a $500,000 incentive for playing in 90 percent of the snaps this season. (Adam Schefter)
Giants
- Per NJ.com’s Zack Rosenblatt, a prominent NFL agent says the floor for Giants DL Leonard Williams in free agency would likely be higher than $18-$20 million a year after his breakout 11.5 sack season: “Go check the defensive tackle market.”
- That price tag could make it hard for New York to keep both Williams and DT Dalvin Tomlinson, who’s expected to have a healthy market of his own.
- Fansided’s Matt Lombardo says from talking to people in the building the word “synergy” comes up a lot in regard to both HC Joe Judge and GM Dave Gettleman‘s philosophy and that the two are in lockstep.
- Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post takes a look at some potential cap casualties to watch for the Giants this offseason, including G Kevin Zeitler, OT Nate Solder, WR Golden Tate, TE Evan Engram, TE Levine Toilolo and LB David Mayo.
- The New York Giants are hosting WR Derrick Dillon for a visit this week. (Aaron Wilson)
Washington
- Per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, Washington HC Ron Rivera said they will consider rotating QBs Alex Smith and Taylor Heinicke due to Smith’s calf injury.
- Washington is slated to play the Buccaneers in the wildcard round on Saturday night.
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