Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) greet each other before their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

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The Dallas Cowboys are entering one of the most important seasons in recent history. .

After three-straight regular seasons where Dallas finished with 12 wins, Dak Prescott and company have continued to choke in the playoffs despite having one of the most talented rosters in the NFL.

After the Cowboys fell to the Packers in a surprise upset in the Wildcard Round last year, there was a general sentiment amongst NFL insiders that Jerry Jones might blow the whole thing up. Instead, he decided to ride with Mike McCarthy — who is entering the final year of his contract — and keep Prescott at QB.

Jun 4, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Instead of inking Prescott to a new extension following one of his best NFL seasons where he was leading the MVP conversation for most of the year, Jerry Jones has opted to sit on his hands and even stated publicly the plan is to let the Cowboys franchise QB play out the final year of his current deal.

Prescott is responsible for a massive salary cap hit in 2024 and it was nearly impossible to add new talent this offseason.

So instead, the Dallas Cowboys lost several starters, including OL Tyron Smith, RB Tony Pollard and other key pieces on both sides of the ball.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

While Prescott’s postseason struggles have been well-documented, he enters 2024 as the No. 6 QB in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus and if he hits the open market following this season, there will be a minimum of five teams, likely more, lining up to make him the highest paid QB in the NFL.

Jones and the Cowboys brass is taking a major risk, and while some insiders believe the organization still plans to reach a long-term deal with Prescott, the QB now holds all the power and shouldn’t have any urgency to sign.

Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday night, Cowboys reporter Jon Machota shared two quotes from Jerry Jones who was answering what more he needed to see from Prescott.

You could easily say, if you haven’t seen it by now, you haven’t seen it. I’m such a fan of Dak. And I appreciate all of the great things that we all know are there. And I appreciate his work ethic probably more than anything. I can’t tell you how proud I am that we’ve got him this year to start this campaign. … Dak’s situation right now for me has more to do with our situation than it does with the merits of Dak Prescott being the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.”

When asked about a Plan B with the Cowboys having no QBs under contract for next season?

“I quit a long time ago getting bent out of shape about having anybody under contract or not. There are all kinds of things other than a contract that could change the outcome of him being under contract: injury, level of play. So you can’t just pick that and say that should give you a better feeling about our team or me a better feeling. The whole thing has a lot of moving parts. Now, I can live with that … because we play a game that it can change on the next play.”

On Thursday, Prescott responded to Jones’ public comments about him and didn’t hold back.

“I stopped, honestly, listening to things (Jerry Jones) says to the media a long time ago. It doesn’t really hold weight with me.”

Dak Prescott: “I stopped, honestly, listening to things (Jerry Jones) says to the media a long time ago. It doesn’t really hold weight with me.” https://t.co/wT742UnccH