21 Major takeaways from the 2020 NFL season so far
By Zach Cohen
18. Pay Dak Prescott
After this season’s events, I’d be willing to bet Prescott will be a Dallas resident for the next 4-to-5 years himself. Prescott was playing out of his mind through the first four games of the season. He led the NFL in passing yards before a devastating injury ended his season. Now, the Cowboys’ season is hanging together by some Band-Aids.
Andy Dalton hasn’t been too terrible, but just imagine how the 3-8 Cowboys would look with Prescott back in the huddle. Prescott made some noise prior to the season when he allegedly turned down a Death Star-sized contract to stay in Dallas.
Look, we know Prescott doesn’t deserve to make Mahomes money (he is the default standard for elite quarterbacks if you couldn’t tell already), but Prescott’s value to Dallas has never been more clear. Pay the man, and then win the NFC Least in 2021.
17. Plenty of teams could make moves at quarterback this offseason
For all the praise that I just dolled upon quarterbacks, the other half of the league has some questions involving their most prized position. I sorted them into three categories.
- Almost Definitely Getting An Upgrade: Jets, Jaguars, Washington, Bears
- Need Plan for Future: Bucs, Colts, Falcons, Saints
- Questions Remain: 49ers, Broncos, Eagles, Giants, Lions, Panthers, Patriots, Vikings
Excluding the Cowboys — who are anyone’s guess — that’s half the league who may be unsatisfied with their current quarterback situation. As it stands, Dak Prescott, Philip Rivers, Cam Newton and Ryan Fitzpatrick are probably the best pending free-agent quarterbacks.
Then, the 2021 NFL Draft could introduce Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Trey Lance, Zach Wilson, Kyle Trask and Mac Jones to the fray. And who knows where veterans like Sam Darnold, Gardner Minshew and even Matthew Stafford could play next year. The quarterback roulette board should be spinning vigorously this offseason.
16. Carson Wentz is not a good quarterback
I could’ve inserted quite a few names into that slot, so why did I choose the fifth-year passer from the Eagles? Because his decline is very eye-opening. Just three years removed from an MVP-caliber season, Wentz leads the league in interceptions and has the second-worst completion percentage among eligible starters. Although, I don’t think the stats even do justice to his regression.
Anyone who has eyes can tell you Wentz does not look like the same quarterback he once was. Some questions started to arise last year, so I do give credit to GM Howie Roseman for seeing that issue and taking Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round. That’s where my praise ends, though. This team is slowly falling apart, and that includes the front office and coaching staff. At the center of it is the guy who fans once touted as the next Brett Favre.
Unfortunately for them, Wentz is looking more like the Favre of 2008 than the Favre of 1998. Every prominent member of the Eagles‘ organization is on a short leash, though none have less leeway than Wentz.