Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky just dropped a spicy take on how the Dallas Cowboys plan to lasso success next season. Spoiler: it’s not looking good. With a $90 million cap conundrum looming and a playoff no-show still stinging, the big question is how they’re going to stay competitive in the NFC circus.
Can The Cowboys Break Their 27-Year NFC Drought?
Dan Orlovsky isn’t pulling punches when it comes to the Cowboys’ future. The former NFL QB took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight one issue: Dak Prescott’s 2025 cap hit – an eye-watering $90 million. For comparison, Jalen Hurts is set at $21.8M, while rookie Jayden Daniels sits at a budget-friendly $8.6M.
Orlovsky’s blunt question: “How is Dallas supposed to compete next year?”
2025 cap hit
Dak Prescott ($90.0M)
Jalen Hurts ($21.8M)
Jayden Daniels ($8.6M)How is Dallas supposed to compete next year?@PaulHembo
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 24, 2025
This cap crunch comes on the heels of a disappointing season for the Cowboys. Add another year to Dallas’ 27-year NFC Championship drought – the streak stretches back to their Super Bowl run in 1995. To make things worse, the rival Washington Commanders broke their own dry spell with a 45-31 win over the Detroit Lions in the divisional round.
The Cowboys last made the NFC title game on January 14, 1996, beating the Green Bay Packers to punch their ticket to Super Bowl XXX (where they took down the Pittsburgh Steelers). Fast forward nearly three decades and the Cowboys are still chasing a way back to the big stage.
With a new head coach search underway, the pressure isn’t just about ending the drought. The Joneses need to juggle cap limitations while finding a way to stay competitive in an increasingly stacked NFC East. Plus, that $90 million figure for Prescott looms large as they try to fill key roster spots.
Big D fans are used to high expectations, but as Orlovsky pointed out, keeping up with the Joneses might not be enough anymore. The question now isn’t just about talent; it’s about how they’ll steer through a financial minefield to build a roster capable of breaking that decades-long curse.
Dan Orlovsky Linked To Lions’ OC Role
Orlovsky’s name is buzzing again, but not for his usual ESPN hot takes. This time, it’s as a potential offensive coordinator for the Lions. Co-host of the “Crunch Time” podcast, Booner, suggested Orlovsky as a “dream candidate” to replace Ben Johnson, who recently became the Chicago Bears’ head coach.
The former Lions QB responded with a symbol expressing gratitude, fueling speculation. Orlovsky, known for his sharp football analysis and clear-cut opinions on TV, might be tempted to return to where his NFL journey began.
Drafted by the Lions in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Orlovsky played three seasons alongside HC Dan Campbell. He even started a team-high seven games during the infamous 0-16 season in 2008. Despite the struggles, his familiarity with the team’s culture and Campbell’s vision could make him an intriguing fit.
With Orlovsky’s growing reputation as a football mind, this connection feels more than nostalgic. Whether he trades the analyst’s chair for a clipboard remains to be seen, but Lions fans might be rooting for it.