Dak Prescott stresses importance of getting reps under new play-caller before regular season

Dak Prescott and the rest of the first-team offense might need some extra reps once the Cowboys report to training camp later this month. This won’t be a normal preseason.

After all, Dallas switched offensive coordinators and play callers in the off season. And coach Mike McCarthy is putting more of his point of view on the offense as he takes on play-calling duties. The Cowboys quarterbacks started calling the new look the “Texas Coast” offense when coaches installed it during OTAs and mini camp. But they may need some extra time on the field when the team starts practicing in Oxnard, Calif., July 26.

On Saturday, Dak Prescott was on the field at The Star, playing host to hundreds of kids at his annual football camp. But he also had the new offense on his mind.

“When you switch play-callers,” Prescott told reporters, “a big point of that is you’ve got to get into the season, before game one, know who you are and what you want to do and how you want to attack the defense.”

The big offensive change came days after the Cowboys lost to the 49ers, 19-12, in the second round of the NFC playoffs. Dallas and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore parted ways. Moore had been a holdover from Jason Garrett’s staff. When McCarthy got to Dallas in 2020, he Moore as OC. However, Moore now is with the Chargers. He didn’t stay unemployed very long. Meanwhile, McCarthy elevated Brian Schottenheimer to offensive coordinator. But McCarthy will be calling plays on game day.

Dak Prescott may lean more on shorter passes in offensive change

McCarthy said he’s going to merge the West Coast offense with what the Cowboys already are running. That may mean Dak Prescott will rely more on shorter passes to his bevy of receivers.

Prescott says he likes the changes that McCarthy made. Of course, he probably wouldn’t say otherwise at this point of the year.

“He’s done a great job in the spring and the offseason of getting an idea,” Prescott said of McCarthy. “But we’ve got to make sure we really button it in and define it once we finish with camp.”

So does that mean more on-field time in training camp or preseason games for Dak Prescott, who turns 30 on July 29? The quarterback said he wouldn’t mind the extra reps. Coaches don’t like to risk their starters in exhibition games. But then again, Dallas is switching up its offense. The Cowboys need to be ready for the regular season, opening on the road against the Giants, then getting the Jets at home the next week.

“I’m always down for playing, always down for getting the reps,” Prescott said. “I’m going off their schedule. If I get action in the preseason, I’ll be all for it. And if I don’t, I’ll make sure I’m preparing and getting those reps in practice.”