Cowboys To Bench $82.5 Million Starter After Worrying Performances

The Dallas Cowboys are currently grappling with consecutive losses on the road, and a significant factor contributing to their struggles is the subpar blocking in the passing game. Over the last four games, Dallas has yielded 14 sacks, with Terence Steele’s underwhelming performances emerging as a notable issue.

Despite signing a substantial $82.5 million, five-year contract in the recent offseason, Steele has failed to meet the expectations associated with his salary. Pro Football Focus has assigned him a modest 50.3 grade after 15 games, highlighting his struggles. According to the site, Steele is tied for the eighth-most sacks allowed in the NFL, having conceded seven.

In the Christmas Eve defeat against the Miami Dolphins, Steele was one of three Cowboys players to receive a grade below 50 points. While it’s less than ideal to consider benching a high-paid player, Dallas cannot afford to maintain their current sack rate.

In the absence of left tackle Tyron Smith, Chuma Edoga stepped in during the Miami game. If Smith is on the path to recovery, there’s a potential option to have Edoga play right tackle instead of Steele. This suggestion doesn’t imply severing ties with Steele but emphasizes the urgency of addressing the issue to prevent sack vulnerabilities during the playoffs.

Other Offensive Issues Plaguing Dallas

In addition to the issues with poor blocking, the Dallas Cowboys also appeared to deviate from utilizing their most potent offensive weapon, CeeDee Lamb. The team’s primary wide receiver had a strong start, making a 49-yard touchdown reception. However, quarterback Dak Prescott did not target him for nearly two quarters during the game.

Post-game, the former Oklahoma Sooner expressed clear frustration with how he was used. Lamb described the situation as “weird” when addressing the media on December 24. He pointed out that during the second and third quarters, he felt underutilized and expressed a desire to stay involved in the game.

Despite the unusual usage, Lamb still posted an impressive stat line, recording 6 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. He has already accumulated statistics that would mark 2023 as his best season to date. However, these individual accomplishments may hold little significance if the Cowboys are not securing victories in crucial games.

Cowboys’ Micah Parsons Aims at Refs After Dolphins Loss

Frustration is apparent on the defensive front as well. Micah Parsons, a pass rusher, managed to secure another half-sack against the Dolphins, but his ability to influence the game fell short of his expectations.

Jon Machota from The Athletic reported that Parsons expressed his frustration regarding the game and the officiating. Parsons stated, “It’s mind-blowing, the things that are getting called, and the positions that we get put in. We just have to learn how to fight the adversity. I know a lot of it is BS, but it’s the world we live in. We’ve got the star on our helmet. … It’s just hard to play defense.”

Although Dallas restricted the dynamic Dolphins offense to just one touchdown, Miami still moved the ball effectively, scoring five field goals, including the game-winning kick by Jason Sanders.