Mike McCarthy building Dallas Cowboys 2023 offense around Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys head coach and new play-caller Mike McCarthy is in the midst of getting his new staff on the same page for the 2023 offense. At the 2023 NFL scouting combine, McCarthy discussed how quarterback Dak Prescott is, and will continue to be, the central focus of the offense.

“He’s had a chance to go from the different variations of the offense that was in place,” McCarthy said of Prescott. “He’s getting ready to take another turn as far as the variation of what we’re getting ready to do. We’re going to build it off of what he has established.

“My decision to stay with his concepts is still intact because I wouldn’t have done what I did in 2020 if I still didn’t believe in him. We obviously as an organization, myself included, feel very strongly about him as our future, and we will definitely build this thing around him.”

Prescott only has through 2024 on his contract, but the Cowboys front office has made it clear they want an extension for him this offseason.

McCarthy wanted ‘new voice’ for Dak Prescott

McCarthy’s choice to send away offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was seen as an indictment on Prescott’s development. However, the former Packers head coach explained he simply believes the starting quarterback needs a “new voice.” The team promoted consultant Brian Schottenheimer to the OC role and Scott Tolzien to QB coach to give Prescott those new voices.

“We all can use a new voice,” McCarthy said. “We all can use a sense of motivation and challenge and so forth. This is a new challenge for (Dak), his words. He’s very excited about it.”

Asked what the former Jaguars coordinator brings to the table, McCarthy credited Schottenheimer’s people skills.

“Brian Schottenheimer brings a tremendous amount,” McCarthy said. “When you put together a staff, everybody’s style is different, I think he has incredible people skills. The football part of it, it’s been fun. We worked together 25 or so years ago.”

The pressure will be higher than ever for the Cowboys skipper and his staff in 2023. After a first-round exit in 2021 and a second-round exit in 2022, fans expect a long run in the playoffs next season.