With contract distractions sidelined and the front office securing labor peace, Dak Prescott shifts focus toward ending postseason droughts as Dallas embraces a rare, business-first offseason.
FRISCO - What's that loud sound you hear emanating from Dallas Cowboys headquarters here at The Star in Frisco?
What's that? You don't hear anything?
Good. That's the idea.
Owner Jerry Jones' Cowboys have accomplished their business differently this offseason, particularly with how they have handled the contracts of star players.
Brandon Aubrey, Javonte Williams and George Pickens all had their futures sorted before mandatory minicamp began, which, for once, meant there are now no contract dramas hanging over the franchise as we proceed toward training camp in Oxnard.
And maybe that gives Dallas a chance to do something else differently, too.
Like, you know, win a couple of playoff games.
"It sucks," team leader Prescott said of Dallas not making the playoffs in the last two years. "Definitely. But we're pushing. That (qualifying for the postseason) is our goal, that's a minimum.''
For all of Dak's impressive numbers as he begins Year 11 in Dallas, his Cowboys have managed to win just two playoff games total during that time.
So yes, we talk of winning "a couple of playoff games'' meaning "two in one postseason.''
But we don't blame Prescott for wanting to take a step-by-step, first-things-first approach.
Let's get there.
Said Dak: "When you have a team like this and they've done everything they have in the offseason, obviously we got to push and get better on offense, but when we know we're already improving on defense, that's the minimum. That's everybody's goal in here."
And because other approaches before haven't worked? Cowboys Nation has reason to believe some offseason changes in management style might pay off.
Over the past handful of years, we've had Prescott's contract, CeeDee Lamb's holdout, Micah Parsons' holdout and trade counting among the many "distractions'' entering camp.
This year, Pickens' situation especially offered the potential to create more drama. But he signed his tag and showed up to mandatory minicamp.
No contract drama here, folks.
Labor peace.
"Obviously, we're used to it," Dak said of the customary noise. "So, it wouldn't be absurd to have it, but it is good that we won't have that this year.''
As a result of the work of the front office? Excuses have been eliminated. Oxnard can all be about football. ... and otherwise quiet.
Right, Dak?
“It's never quiet, I just think that the focus is in the right place," he said. "I mean, it's the Cowboys, right? 'Quiet,' I don't know if that's ever the right word, but the focus is in the right place. I think everybody's channeled for the same goal.
"Yeah, we can all focus on winning and what we need to be focused on."
And that would be the Cowboys back in the playoffs. At a minimum.
