Whenever discussing Dak Prescott, all of the accolades are brought up quite quickly. However, the word “but” will come out eventually to mention the lack of playoff success he has had. The Dallas Cowboys are still in the midst of a lengthy NFC Championship drought, going back to the franchise’s last Super Bowl in 1996.
Even so, there is still a ton of confidence in Prescott coming from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. He has already given the quarterback one contract extension and could hand out another ahead of the Sunday afternoon season opener. Jones believes the progression from Prescott has been steady throughout his career.
“There is a case where you have to think that something’s going to happen that hasn’t happened yet,” Jones told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith in a sitdown interview. “Otherwise, you’re sitting right there with everybody else having measured experience. In Dak’s case, I look at his basic, great qualities. And then I fundamentally see someone that is getting better. I think he got better with Mike (McCarthy) coaching him directly. I think he has improved since the day he’s got here.”
From a numbers perspective, Jones is correct with Prescott improving under McCarthy. He threw for over 4,500 yards and led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns. All of this with a career-high completion percentage of 69.5%.
Jones would certainly like for those numbers to show up in the postseason at some point. There is a sense of confidence coming from him, saying over the next five years (contract extension length?), Prescott will get the job done eventually.
“When you look at what he brings to the table as opposed to the alternative — the alternative is not a one-year alternative, it’s a several-year alternative,” Jones said. “So, when you look at the prospects of the likelihood, over the next five years, of him knocking on that door, I like those odds. That, to me, is where you go, and you pull the trigger on it.”
The Cowboys will need to get back to the playoff first but Prescott could have another chance at finally delivering the Lombardi Trophy everyone in Dallas has craved for nearly two decades. Even without a contract extension being there for Prescott, Jones has faith.
