Dak Prescott is a good NFL quarterback that has yet to be great. Becoming the leader of America’s most popular and scrutinized team is no easy task. The starting quarterback position is one of the most complex jobs in sports, and Dak has done just enough to maintain his status as one of the game’s most intriguing signal callers.
Bursting onto the scene in 2016, Prescott produced a fabulous freshman campaign leading the Dallas Cowboys to a 13-3 record while taking home the honor of offensive rookie of the year. The dynamic duo of Dak and Ezekiel Elliott gave Dallas hope that the two first-year players could finally deliver the franchise its first championship since the nineties.
Seven seasons have come and gone with very little to show for. Dak has accumulated two playoff wins, and the Cowboys moved on from his running mate, Zeke, this offseason. The time is now for Prescott to finally step up and deliver with a deep playoff run as he dives into the second half of his career.
“Understanding what I’ve been through throughout my career and understanding that you don’t have forever to play this game. I’m blessed for each moment that I get, each opportunity on and off the field, and just trying to make the most of it but definitely with a sense of urgency,” said Dak at his annual football camp when asked about turning 30 this year.
Entering his fourth season as head coach, Mike McCarthy will be implementing change into the Cowboys offense that will now see him calling plays as he did during his time in Green Bay. The new West Coast offensive approach will put even more emphasis on Dak’s play.
“I love the way we have challenged Dak mentally, and more importantly, I love the way he has attacked it… He has really handled these changes and adjustments because at the end of the day, the quarterback… they need to own the offense… I want smart Hall of Fame-type quarterbacks, and the only way to get there is you have to make them own the offense,” McCarthy told the press during the offseason.
The Cowboys should have a stout defense this year and are Super Bowl contenders if the new offense is clicking come January. With Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence rushing the passer, adding Stephon Gilmore to partner with Trevon Diggs will be a nightmare for opposing passing games. Sacks and interceptions will be plentiful if the offense can put their opposition in catch-up mode early on.
“We are fundamentally doing some things differently in the offensive line that let us block them up and protect, and (Dak’s) gonna be doing some things to that work with that and let us get that ball in a spot quicker than we have,” Jerry Jones said about the offensive changes.
With the departure of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, the NFC quarterback room is as shallow as ever during Prescott’s career. It is hard to argue that he is not the second-best QB in the conference this coming season behind Jalen Hurts. That said, the expectations have never been higher, and time is of the essence when it comes to Dak and Dallas.
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.