Generally, if you employ the highest paid player in the history of the game, a player who only signed his contract a year ago, you would like to head into training camp with some confidence in that player’s ability. Yet, the Cowboys, even with the top-paid player in league history on board in Dak Prescott, probably can’t be too sure about what can be expected from their signal-caller.
It’s a tricky situation. Much needs to go right for Dallas this season to bolster the Cowboys back into Super Bowl contention, including a quick learning curve on the youthful offensive line, a healthy defensive backfield, good chemistry on the revamped receiving unit, better run defense and better run offense.
But it all won’t matter unless Prescott is back at the top of his game after missing the last half of the 2024 season with a severe hamstring injury. Prescott is 32, though, and that’s no sure thing.
Cowboys Added George Pickens
In fact, in sizing up the state of the league with minicamps wrapped up, Pro Football Focus tabbed Prescott as the Cowboys’ “X-factor” this season. Again, not exactly the label you want for your $60 million-per-year star QB, though on the positive side, the X can stand for MVP-type year just as well as a potential 2025 bust.
As the site noted: “Prescott is a prime bounce-back candidate after earning a career-low 67.2 PFF passing grade in his eight games last season. That came on the heels of his career-high 86.9 PFF passing grade in 2023. If Prescott plays closer to his 2023 form with wide receiver George Pickens in the fold, Dallas has plenty of talent to secure a postseason berth.”
For what it’s worth, PFF pegs the pass rush (assuming Micah Parsons signs) as the Cowboys strength and the run defense as the team’s weakness. Tyler Booker, the first-round offensive guard, is the “Rookie to Watch” and there were no surprises listed among the starting lineups.
Dak Prescott ‘Trying to Stay Healthy’
Of course, Prescott needs to be more than just healthy and back on the field in 2025. He needs to be back at his 2023 level. He never looked 100% in 2024. And last year, Prescott threw 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions in eight games, for a 2.8% interception rate, second-worst of his career.
His sack percentage, 6.84%, was also second-worst of his career (a function of the Cowboys’ worrying offensive line), as was his completion rate, 64.7%. There are concerns about his performance and his ability to bounce back. He is aware.
“People say a lot of things about me, man,” Prescott said, talking about how he will looks after his hamstring injury. “I just show up and control what I can control. (I’m) healthy, trying to stay healthy. Feels good. Just trying to push the energy and make sure I continue to get better.”
