Jerry Jones has gotten better in his later years about listening to others when making football decisions. When it came to choosing Dak Prescott as his franchise quarterback, Jones took to heart advice from one of the best to ever do it; Dallas Cowboys legend Roger Staubach.
As the Cowboys celebrated Prescott's new four-year contract with the team that was officially signed last Wednesday, Jerry shared something that Staubach told him which applied to Dak and the team's renewed commitment to him.
“Get somebody at quarterback that the players will follow. That's the biggest thing of all.”
There legitimate debates to be had about Prescott's skills as a quarterback. He may not have certain elite traits, or at least consistently show them, that fans covet after watching the likes of Aaron Rodgers or Pat Mahomes.
But one of Dak's credentials as a starting QB where he is arguably unsurpassed, and only matched by a few, is his leadership. Even since his rookie season, thrust unexpectedly into the job due to Tony Romo's injury, Prescott has never failed to command the respect and loyalty of his teammates and fellow players from around the league.
Just a few days ago, another Cowboys legend proclaimed that Dak's leadership was on the same level as Tom Brady's.
Prescott has continued showing that leadership over the last five months despite his significant injury and rehabilitation, plus a major contract negotiation. Dak remained present at team functions and facilities, even during the pandemic, in the aftermath of his injury. Even in the offseason months before last week, Prescott was doing rehab with the team as his contract was still being ironed out.
Staubach's advice about QB1 being a leader is valuable in multiple ways. During the season it's a source of motivation and direction for the other 52 guys on the roster, especially when faced with adversity.
During the offseason, and especially as we look ahead to the start of free agency this Wednesday, it's a factor that could help pull players to the Cowboys.
There's no questioning that Dak Prescott still has a lot of work to do if ever wants to join Roger Staubach or Troy Aikman on that top tier of Dallas quarterbacks. But at least in leadership, Dak is already as good as those legends ever were.
Hopefully, Prescott is going to be able to lead the Cowboys back to the championship glory that those same players enjoyed.
