ESPN analysts debate how effective Cowboys' adjustments will be in 2023

The Dallas Cowboys‘ second straight loss to the 49ers in the playoffs triggered a wave of changes and adjustments for the team leading into the 2023 season. Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones addressed one of the adjustments the offense is trying to make on Monday, telling reporters that they’d like to see quarterback Dak Prescott get the ball out of his hands faster.

On Tuesday’s Get Up on ESPN, the analysts debated how effective that one change for Dallas could impact Prescott and the offense.

“That would not be high on my priority list of things to change in how Dallas operates offensively,” former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck said. “Look I’ve said it throughout the offseason. I just don’t understand the frustration around Kellen Moore. They were second in the NFL in scoring.

“When you look at Dak and guys that hold the football, it’s because you’re trying to push the ball down the field, which they were doing at times. It’s not something I would get hung up on.”

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy surprised this offseason when he said his former offensive coordinator liked to “light the scoreboard up” while he wanted to “run the damn ball.” The team parted ways with Moore and now McCarthy is going to call plays for the first time in his Dallas tenure.

ESPN’s analytics suggest there’s no significant difference between Dak Prescott holding on to the football and not holding on to the football. Last season, his QBR under 2.5 seconds was 71.5, compared to 68.8 on plays holding the ball over 2.5 seconds.

“Yes, he threw more interceptions when he held on to the football but everybody does that,” analyst Bill Barnwell added. “He also made big plays when he held on to the football. It’s always a balance.”

This offseason, McCarthy has been working with Dak Prescott to smooth out their communication. The Cowboys skipper is emphasizing speed in getting the play call out to the quarterback.

McCarthy’s seat warming up

ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes McCarthy will bear the brunt of the criticism if the Cowboys don’t end up taking a step forward offensively. Prescott still has time left on his contract and the team’s leadership has made numerous statements of support for him.

However, Jerry Jones could more easily move on from McCarthy after he went all-in with changes this offseason.

“It’s McCarthy, no question about it,” Graziano said about who will ultimately take the blame for a bad season. “If it goes badly, if they have a bad offensive season, obviously it’s going to fall on McCarthy who made all these changes for seemingly no good reason.”