McCarthy: New voice calling plays will help Dak, Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is taking over play-calling duties next season and believes it will serve quarterback Dak Prescott well moving forward.
We all can use a new voice," McCarthy said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "We all can use a sense of motivation and challenge and so forth. This is a new challenge for him."
Dallas parted with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who called plays from 2019-2022 while orchestrating some of the best statistical campaigns in franchise history. Moore was among several offseason changes to the offensive staff.
McCarthy felt it was time for a change following the team's divisional-round playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Prescott struggled with interceptions in 2022, posting a league-high 15 despite missing five games due to injury. He finished the season throwing for 2,860 yards and 23 touchdowns with a 66.2% completion rate.
McCarthy opted not to call plays after joining Dallas in 2020 so as to not disrupt Prescott's development at the time. He'll be the first Cowboys head coach to call plays since Jason Garrett in 2012. Brian Schottenheimer was hired in February as the team's new OC to assist with offensive duties.
The Cowboys' offense won't undergo wholesale changes this offseason. McCarthy said 30%-35% would change following Moore's departure.
McCarthy will call plays for the first time since his tenure with the Green Bay Packers. The 59-year-old is enjoying being in the meeting room and talking nothing but scheme once again.
"This is the most fun I've had since I've been in Dallas," McCarthy said.