One of the reasons for the late season success of the Dallas Cowboys can be attributed to the team finally getting some continuity and comfort on offense with quarterback Andy Dalton.
The former TCU standout will make his eighth start in place of the injured Dak Prescott on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dalton’s steady hand has led the Cowboys to back-to-back wins in their late-season push for the playoffs.
Of course, the Cowboys must win their final two games and hope the Washington Football Team loses its final two for them to win the division and make playoffs.
But being able to win games is what the Cowboys expected to get from Dalton in May when they signed the 10-year veteran to serve as Prescott’s backup.
They wanted a proven veteran who could win games if Prescott happened to be out, though they never expected their star would miss as many games as he has.
Dalton, who started the previous nine years with the Cincinnati Bengals, hasn’t produced jaw-dropping numbers, but he has provided steady play behind a shaky offensive line, now that he has been able stay in the lineup after missing two games with a concussion and then COVID-19.
Dalton has completed 165 of 256 passes for 1,549 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions , and he has certainly played well enough that vice president Stephen Jones would like to have him back in 2021.
Dalton’s plan was to play on a one-year deal in Dallas, and then land a starting job elsewhere next season.
“I think he’s done a great job especially when you look at the challenges we had there in our offensive line,” Jones said. “I think as we’ve gotten better, certainly Andy is getting more confidence. He’s doing a great job, and certainly we [would] love to have him back. I know we’ll just have to address that at the end of the year in terms of what goals, what he’s wanting to do, what his opportunities are.”
One of the reasons Dalton signed with the Cowboys in 2020 was because of his ties to the area. He played in college at TCU. His wife is from Dallas, and this is where they make their offseason home.
Jones hopes that local bond will work in their favor again with Dalton possibly returning as the backup quarterback.
Dalton is only focused on the final two games and will see what happens in the offseason.
“That is not my focus right now,” Dalton said. “I am trying to do everything I can to try to help this team win right now. We will see what happens in the future. I have enjoyed my time here. I’ve loved being in Dallas. But there is still a lot to happen once we get to the offseason. My focus is these next two games.
But with Prescott also unsigned for 2021, anything is possible. Jones said the Cowboys remain committed to Prescott as their starter and they hope to get a deal done with him
“Our complete commitment is to Dak Prescott and we look forward to getting his deal at some point finished and getting him back on the field,” Jones said. “He’s certainly the leader of this team and we certainly miss him.”
