Dak Prescott: Cowboys Media Scrutiny Comes With the Territory
Scrutiny is mounting on the Cowboys and coach Brian Schottenheimer after a 2–4 start to the NFL season, with a key Monday Night Football divisional matchup against the Eagles ahead. But speaking to Front Office Sports, long-tenured quarterback Dak Prescott said added media pressure is an unavoidable consequence of the Cowboys’ brand recognition.
“That’s the territory,” Prescott told FOS’s Baker Machado. “You can’t ask for the rain and be mad about the mud.”
Prescott, 33, was drafted by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft and won Rookie of the Year that season, but hasn’t led Dallas to much playoff success. The Cowboys have two playoff victories in the Prescott era, and have yet to advance beyond the divisional round.
Dallas has suffered back-to-back losses against the previously winless Buccaneers and the Packers, prompting an onslaught of media criticism, including about Prescott. On ESPN’s First Take on Monday, Stephen A. Smith sounded off on Prescott, saying the team has come up short “time and time and time again” with him under center and pointing out that former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had a better career playoff record.
“Occasionally, you do get a hot take or you hear a hot take or you get asked about it, and yeah, it’s comical,” Prescott said. “At the end of the day we know the ins and the outs of the organization and what’s happening and why we’re not getting things done. So some of these takes are just for clicks and that’s okay too.”
Owner Jerry Jones has also come under fire for his role in the Cowboys’s 30-year championship drought. Jones, 84, has owned the team since 1989 and has held onto the general manager role even as most other NFL teams have modernized their front-office hierarchies.
Jones has also set himself apart from other owners with his open relationship with the media, which Prescott said benefits the franchise.
“I think ultimately when he does that, whether you like his messages or not, you create an opinion of the Cowboys,” Prescott said. “And if you have an opinion of the Cowboys, good or bad, you’re gonna wanna tune in, you’re gonna wanna find out if they’re winning or if they’re losing … When you have an opinion, eyes are all on.”
Prescott is currently in the middle of a four-year, $240 million contract extension he signed in 2024, which at the time made him the highest-paid player in the NFL. Asked about his experience with Jones in contract negotiations, the veteran signal-caller said he has learned from Jones’ business acumen more generally.
“I’d definitely say his business savviness and just watching him from afar has definitely rubbed off and helped me out,” Prescott said. “I wouldn’t say it’s from going up against him and duking things out.”
Prescott was also asked about the growing movement to extend the NFL season to 18 games, which isn’t allowed under the current collective bargaining agreement but could be negotiated into a new one. He said he would be open to an extra game, so long as it came with adjustments such as extra compensation, an additional bye week, and a shortened preseason.
“My view on it is, if it’s better for the game, I’m always looking for an opportunity to play to display my love for this game and passion for it in front of our fans,” Prescott said. “I get that there’s a certain number of too many games and we’re probably getting to that limit, but I don’t know if one more hurts us.”
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