The Dallas Cowboys are entering an important season that could very well determine the immediate future of their franchise. All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was not at OTA’s or mandatory minicamp as he awaits a new contract. While the Cowboys almost certainly want him signed for the long-term one has to wonder how the ongoing contract negotiations will affect his relationship with the organization.
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Franchise quarterback Dak Prescott, too, is up for a contract extension. Again, the Cowboys certainly would like to lock up the three-time Pro Bowler for the long-term, but the quarterback market is going crazy right now. The Jacksonville Jaguars just gave Trevor Lawrence $55 million per season, so one has to assume that Prescott will command even more, perhaps becoming the first player to make $60+ million per year.
Head coach Mike McCarthy, also, has some serious questions regarding his future with the Cowboys. After a 1-3 record in the NFL Playoffs since his arrival, Dallas is not sure if he is the right man for the job going forward. He enters the 2024 NFL season as a lame duck head coach, needing a deep postseason run and/or a Super Bowl win to earn a second contract with the team.
The Dallas Cowboys Offense Has Some Holes
The Cowboys have some excellent players on offense, including Prescott and Lamb. In addition to these All-Pro level players, they have Bradin Cooks at wide receiver, Jake Ferguson at tight end, and the legendary Zack Martin at right guard.
However, they also lost some notable players to free agency as well. Left tackle Tryon Smith signed with the New York Jets. Currently, the Cowboys plan on replacing the future Hall of Fame left tackle with rookie Tyler Guyton.
This is a tremendous risk for a team that, in essence, does not have a true primary running back (Ezekiel Elliott may be back, but McCarthy has stated they are going to utilize the running back by committee strategy) and may be about to give their quarterback the largest contract in the history of the NFL.
Guyton could very well turn out to be a special player, but given the state of the Cowboys and the numerous questions surrounding their biggest names, it may be wise for Dallas to find some more experience on the offensive line to protect their investments.
Dallas Cowboys Insider Suggests They Sign Former Green Bay Packers Left Tackle David Bakhtiari
In a recent article written for Cowboys Wire, Dallas insider Reid Hanson suggests that David Bakhtiari would be a good depth/security option:
“For years Bakhtiari was the gold standard at the left tackle position. If there was one player who could rival the Cowboys’ Tyron Smith as best in the league, it was him. Bakhtiari, 32, was the only player in the NFL to earn first or second team All-Pros in every season between 2016-2020. He was an elite run blocker and pass protector and frequently played on an island protecting for a quarterback who wasn’t afraid to improvise behind him.
“Moving Smith from guard to LT isn’t an ideal solution if Guyton struggles. And there’s no telling if Waletzko or Richards would be better than a struggling Steele. Having a veteran like Bakhtiari available in relief would be far more comforting.”
There is the question of Bakhtiari’s health. He has, after all, played in just 13 games over the past three seasons. However, doctors say his knee is recovering and he will be ready with no limitations by the time training camp starts. He could not say that in any of the past three seasons.
Bakhtiari also has a history with Coach McCarthy, who was with the Packers when the he was drafted. Of the five All-Pro teams that Bakhtiari made, McCarthy was his head coach for three of them.
Additionally, it is not like it will cost Dallas much to sign Bakhtiari. Coming off of three injury-plagued seasons, he will not command more than a minimum contract. It would be a low-risk, high-reward situation.
