Dak is a fine B level QB. Middle of the pick starter. But he’s a guy who needs help but when he’s going to count $49 mill against your cap next season, that costs him the help he needs. But hey, he got his money but he’s going to have to take the heat for when the team loses and he plays poorly.
Dak is in that group with Carr, Jimmy, Cousins, Tanny. Good solid starters so long as they get paid what they should to keep as much of their supporting cast around them. Once they cost too much and you have to let a couple of important guy us go, they can’t elevate the remaining roster.
Dak needed Cooper but the $20 mill cap hit Cooper had the Cowboys couldn’t afford due to the overpriced deals they gave Zeke and Dak.
Salary cap in the NFL is a myth with restructuring.
Cowboys could have kept Cooper but they chose Gallup over him (dumb decision). And it was likely because Cooper chose not to get vaccinated, got Covid and missed extra games (and didn't seem himself when he did come back).
Dak had a rough game against a really good defence. He missed some throws that cost Dallas - the bomb to Lamb, which was a catch, but some more arm strength on it and Lamb was gone. And the throw to Gallup. But this D has a history of making very good QBs have bad nights. This year Dak had a really high CPOE+epa, despite having noticeably less offensive talent than last season, and throwing an uncharacteristically high number of picks (half of which weren't turnover-worthy plays).
I feel comfortable ranking Dak around 8-10 - so unless you trade for Aaron Rodgers, you don't have any sort of chance to upgrade the position. I don't think Dak can absolutely carry a team through a playoff run, but I also don't think there's a QB in the NFC that can anymore. Add a legitimate NFL receiver (Noah Brown ain't it) and pray a healthy off-season for Gallup will do wonders.