5 issues facing the Cowboys’ offense this offseason, not including QB Dak Prescott

More: Issues the Cowboys must address on offense, defense, and special teams.

The biggest question this offseason is the potential return of quarterback Dak Prescott.

Everyone is saying the right things. The Cowboys say they want him here long-term. Prescott has said he wants to be here long-term.

But we heard that last year. If the Cowboys fail to secure a long-term deal with Prescott, he’ll get franchised again. That could be the end of Prescott’s good relationship with the Cowboys.

There are no worries about Prescott’s leadership or skills. If anything, his return from a fractured ankle will be the only question once offseason workouts begin in the early summer.

In some ways, Prescott is the least of the Cowboys’ worries on an offensive unit in need of good health in 2021. Here are five non-Prescott issues for the Cowboys’ offense this offseason.

Who is the backup quarterback?

Andy Dalton finished the 2020 season strong, but let’s be honest — he’s Andy Dalton. He’s an average starter, not someone expected to make deep playoff runs.

Dalton is a good starter for a team that has a young quarterback waiting in the wings. So Dalton might depart The Star this offseason, especially if he can gain a starting job elsewhere.

With Dalton gone, that would leave Garrett Gilbert, Cooper Rush and Ben DiNucci behind Prescott. DiNucci was a disaster last season and probably shouldn’t have a roster spot.

Rush and Gilbert know coordinator Kellen Moore’s offensive system, so they should compete for a No. 2 job.

Dallas could also try to find a veteran if Dalton leaves. Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor, Blake Bortles and possibly Robert Griffin III are veterans the Cowboys might look at this offseason.

Switching one Connor for another?

If there was one player who provided stability to the offensive line last season, it was left guard Connor Williams. He missed just one snap in 2020, participating in 1,144 offensive plays, a wonderful number considering there were injuries to every position along the line.

But Williams looked overmatched at times, and this is where Connor McGovern steps in. McGovern, a 2019 third-round pick, made eight starts at right guard for an injured Zack Martin.

When Martin returns, McGovern vs. Williams at left guard is a battle worth watching.

Is this the end of Ezekiel Elliott?

The Cowboys’ starting running back had career lows in rushing yards (979), average per carry (4.0) and yards per game (65.3). He also tied a career low with six touchdowns. Those are the numbers.

The eye test showed a slower Elliott, a man who didn’t have as many big runs as in previous years. He also didn’t have two Pro Bowlers in Smith and Martin blocking for him because of injuries, and he lost Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick to retirement. And let’s not forget the injury to La’el Collins, the starting right tackle who was coming off a strong 2019 season.

The Cowboys also needed to pass more, particularly early in games because they often trailed by two scores. This was not a good season for Elliott. Financially, the Cowboys are obligated to him for another season unless they want to absorb a huge salary cap hit.

Is Elliott on the decline? It’s difficult to say considering he played through hamstring and quad issues and an ineffective offensive line.

You probably need to give him 2021, and if the numbers are similar to 2020, then it’s time to move on.

Injuries, injuries and more injuries

Losing players for health reasons is life in the NFL. Will some of the injured players the Cowboys lost in 2020 return to form in 2021?

It starts with Prescott (ankle) and whether he’ll maintain his running abilities in 2021. Prescott will be 28 when Week 1 starts, so age isn’t an issue.

Collins (hip) and Smith (neck) are the anchors of the offensive line, and the Cowboys need both players to have strong seasons. Smith’s health has declined the last few years. He held off on surgeries to his neck and this surgery should alleviate his problems.

The Cowboys have little quality depth at quarterback and at both offensive tackle spots. Drafting a tackle this spring should be considered.

The Cowboys had high expectations for tight end Blake Jarwin until he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1. Dalton Schultz (615 yards and four touchdowns) emerged as someone to depend on in 2021. So the tight end position looks strong, at least for now.

Amari Cooper (ankle) had minor surgery that shouldn’t complicate matters at that position, and he’s expected to be ready for Week 1.

All eyes on Kellen Moore

Kellen Moore was up for the head coaching position at Boise State. He wound up with a three-year deal to remain the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator.

Now, the Philadelphia Eagles have requested permission to interview Moore for their head coaching vacancy.

In Moore’s two seasons as coordinator, his offense has finished sixth in points in 2019 and 17th in 2020.

The same offense, with some tweaks but four starting quarterbacks, finished 14th in total yards last season after leading the NFL in the same category the previous year.

Year 3 is a big one for Moore because he should have his weapons back. The excuses won’t be accepted.

Since he became coordinator, Moore’s offense hasn’t been good enough to reach the postseason. It’s amazing this offense didn’t score on an opening possession for 16 regular-season games in 2020. Not even a field goal.

Year 3 for Moore will be a major test of his ability to call plays.

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