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Now or never for Dak Prescott

by Cesar Fuentes

Dak Prescott was selected by the Dallas Cowboys seven years ago, in the 2016 draft, and just a couple of years ago, the quarterback picked up a big contract to stay with the Lone Stars.


In 2021, the 29-year-old was tagged as a franchise player, so the team agreed to give him a four-year, $160 million deal. Since then, Prescott's numbers in the regular season consist of 28 games with a 19-9 record, 7,309 yards, 60 touchdown passes, 25 interceptions and a 67.8 completion percentage. In the Playoffs he has six appearances with a 2-4 record.


Dak is a free agent in 2025, although the pressure of the fans could cause him to leave earlier, after the poor results that he has given to the organization.


In 2022, Prescott missed the first few games of the season with a hand injury. In his return, he led the Cowboys to rank as the fifth best team in the NFC, and his pass completion percentage was his lowest in three years at 66.2%. In 19 games played, he completed 261 of 394 attempts, for 2,860 yards and 23 touchdowns. In addition, he was sacked 20 times, and suffered four fumbles.


The age of 30 has been seen as the beginning of the end for NFL players, as many experience declining performance and increased risk of injury. However, in today's NFL, some quarterbacks are able to maintain, or even raise, their level of play well into their 30s and even 40s, thanks to better impact protection and fewer injuries.


Dak Prescott could be one of those quarterbacks who continues to thrive well into his 30s. The statistics show that there is real data to support the fact that the best may be yet to come for Prescott.


If you look at his completion percentage, Dak has never been below 62.9% in his career. Although the expectation should be that he consistently ends up around a 70% rate, the floor appears to be set in the mid-60s, which is a fair and reasonable benchmark for it to hover around, or even exceed.


Another encouraging metric is the touchdown-to-interception ratio, which can get better over time, not worse for quarterbacks.


Although Dak led the league in interceptions in the regular season last year, his career statistics show that he has been very good at scoring, and protecting the ball. This translates to a ratio of over three touchdowns per interception. Even if we add in his injury-plagued seasons, and his worst season overall, he still has a more-than-respectable average of 24 touchdowns to 9 interceptions.


Throughout his career, Prescott has played at an above-average level, and most of his matches have been convincing and definitely above that mark.


Head coach Mike McCarthy is taking over the playmaking for the first time in his tenure in Dallas. Kellen Moore, now the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, is an excellent young mind, but clearly, McCarthy and Moore weren't always on the same page. Now it's McCarthy's offense. No confusion, no conflicting strategies.


McCarthy is a true quarterback/offensive guru. I truly believe Dak and the 'Boys will reap the benefits of his playcalling. Not to mention, Dallas acquired WR Brandin Cooks via trade in March. Brilliant move. CeeDee Lamb topped this group a year ago, and he proceeded to show significant improvement across the board, surpassing personal bests for receptions (107), yards (1,359) and touchdowns (nine). But Dallas' second-leading wide receiver was Noah Brown, who contributed a ho-hum 43/555/3 stat line. Lamb needed better support in the WR body. Cooks provides that. Also, Michael Gallup should be closer to himself in his second season after a torn ACL.


The additions could help Dak return to his 2019 or 2021 form, when he threw for 4,000+ yards and 30+ touchdowns and 11+ interceptions.

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