Every NFL offseason brings its fair share of debates, controversies, and hot takes. But few players find themselves more heavily scrutinized than Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Despite consistently putting up strong numbers and leading his team to multiple playoff appearances, the narrative surrounding Prescott continues to evolve in a contradictory and, frankly, unfair way.
This offseason, many analysts and fans have repeated the same talking points:
- “Dak’s not a top 10 quarterback.”
- “The Cowboys’ wide receivers aren’t top 10.”
- “Their defense is bottom half of the league.”
- “The running back room is bottom-tier.”
Yet somehow, those same critics also claim that Dak Prescott has no excuse to reach the NFC Championship game in 2025—and if he doesn’t, the franchise should move on.
Make it make sense.
This article examines the flawed logic behind this argument, the current state of the Cowboys’ roster, and why the “Dak Prescott tax” is a very real phenomenon.
The Narrative vs. Reality: Is Dak Prescott Really the Problem?
Critics love to question whether Dak Prescott is a “top 10 quarterback“, but the stats say otherwise.
In 2023, Prescott led the NFL in touchdown passes and finished with a 105.9 passer rating. He has multiple 4,000+ yard seasons and consistently ranks among the league’s best in QBR, completion percentage, and efficiency.
While he’s not Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, he’s statistically better than a large chunk of starters across the league, and that includes quarterbacks with far better supporting casts.
So why the skepticism?
Because he wears the star.
The State of the Dallas Cowboys Offense in 2025
WR Duo: Talented But Underappreciated
Despite CeeDee Lamb signing a massive extension in 2024 and George Pickens entering 2025 as the projected WR2, many analysts refuse to consider them a top-10 duo. That’s debatable at best.
Lamb is a legitimate WR1 and a top-5 hideout in the league.
Pickens is a big-play threat with elite ball-tracking skills who gives the Cowboys the vertical stretch they missed in recent seasons. Add in Jalen Tolbert as a developing WR3, and this group is far from average.
The lack of recognition has less to do with production and more to do with perception.
RB Room: A True Committee, Not a Star-Driven Unit
It’s true that the Cowboys no longer have a dominant bell-cow back. Gone are the days of Ezekiel Elliott dominating touches. In 2025, the backfield consists of:
- Javonte Williams – A strong, physical runner with upside if healthy
- Miles Sanders – A capable veteran with dual-threat value
- Jaydon Blue – A promising rookie with speed and agility
- Phil Mafah – Another promising rookie with power and pass-catching
- Deuce Vaughn & Hunter Luepke – Niche role players
No, this isn’t a top-5 RB unit, but it’s functional and deeper than many realize. Offensive success depends more on scheme and execution than just one superstar RB in today’s NFL.
A Defense in Transition: The Real Issue
Let’s talk facts: the Dallas Cowboys’ defense in 2024 was one of the worst in the league, despite leading the NFL in QB hurries and finishing top-3 in sacks.
- 27th in total defense
- 29th in run defense
- 32nd in red zone defense
- 31st in scoring defense
That’s not a “middle-of-the-pack” defense—that’s a liability.
So, again, how is the quarterback, not the defensive unit, blamed for not reaching the heights expected by this team?
New Defensive Coordinator, Same High Expectations
Matt Eberflus was hired to turn things around, and while his scheme brings hope, there are still question marks at linebacker, cornerback depth, and run-stopping on the interior.
This defense may improve in 2025, but it’s still a work in progress—and yet, the expectation remains that Dak must overcome it all.
The “No Excuses” Trap: Holding One Player to an Impossible Standard
The argument that “Dak has no excuses” ignores the reality of team building in the NFL.
Here’s what Dak is being asked to overcome:
- A bottom-tier running game
- A defense that couldn’t stop the run or stop anything in the red zone
- A WR still fighting for national recognition
- Public pressure and media noise unique to Dallas
Let’s not forget that quarterbacks like Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, and even Aaron Rodgers have missed the playoffs or underperformed—yet don’t face the same “cut or trade” threats.
Only in Dallas is a QB expected to be flawless, overcome roster holes, AND deliver a deep playoff run or risk being labeled a failure.
That’s the Cowboys’ tax.
The Bigger Picture: Media Bias and the Power of the Star
There’s a saying in NFL circles: “When the Cowboys win, it’s a headline. When they lose, it’s a week-long saga.”
This overexposure inflates expectations and magnifies failures. The “America’s Team” spotlight adds pressure not just to Dak but to every player, coach, and front office move.
Because of that:
- A wild-card loss is treated like a Super Bowl collapse.
- A top-5 statistical year from Dak is still called “not enough“
- Internal drama gets more airplay than success stories from other teams
This isn’t football analysis—it’s brand inflation.
Why Moving On From Dak Isn’t the Answer
Let’s explore what happens if the Cowboys do decide to move on from Prescott.
What’s the plan?
- Roll the dice in the draft and hope a rookie pans out?
- Trade for a disgruntled veteran?
- Sign a mid-tier bridge QB and regress?
There’s a reason 20+ teams in the NFL have cycled through multiple quarterbacks while the Cowboys have remained competitive—because stability matters, and Dak Prescott brings that in spades.
The Dak Narrative Needs to Change
The idea that Dak Prescott has “no excuses” while simultaneously being surrounded by a roster that the media ranks as average or below-average is a contradiction rooted in emotion, not logic.
You can’t claim the team around him is flawed and demand perfection. That’s not how team sports work.
If anything, 2025 should be a reset in how we talk about Dak:
- Appreciate the production
- Acknowledge the flaws around him
- Hold the organization accountable for building a complete roster
Because until the Cowboys put together a defense and run game that can support their quarterback, the idea that “Dak must carry it all or be replaced” is just lazy analysis.
a Dallas Cowboys fan, since the 70’s it’s all the sports media groups and Jerry Jones keep hyping up Dak Prescott I said Dak Prescott isn’t that great I tell the truth I don’t work for the media I can’t get fired
You can’t get fired, but you sure can make yourself look stupid with every comment you make!! I suppose you think we’ll be better off without Dak right!? Cause since your supposedly a fan since the 70s, I’m sure you remember all the great QBs we had before Romo and Dak, like Ryan Leaf, Vinny Testaverde, Quincy Carter, Chad Hutchinson, Kyle Orton, Matt Cassel and Branden Weeden, just to name a few!! At least with Dak we have a chance, he mite not be the greatest, but he’s definitely worth keeping, cause at least he’s good enough to help us win games, and he’s definitely a top 10 QB in the NFL, and any team in the NFL would be more than happy to have him play for them!! So I’d rather have him than to take the chance on going through the Kyle Orton and Branden Weeden years again!!
And idk what “media groups” you watch, but I think your watching the wrong ones, or your just not understanding what they say, cause they don’t hype Dak up!! They talk about him like you do!! But it’s all because Dak plays for the Cowboys, and that’s why they talk crap about him!! But again, you must not understand what these media groups are saying or something!! Which does make sense, since every comment you make is ridiculous and always sounds stupid!!
Yes we are better off moving on from the longest tenured failure qb in the league. The literal only reason he’s a starter still is he’s overhyped by fanboys who can’t get over 2016
Failure??? You’re funny!
Here’s why no excuses makes sense.
1. Dak has had very good rosters for multiple runs and failed horribly. Runner up mvp is NOT an award. dak barely “beat” a running back for the “runner up mvp award” and wasn’t close to Lamar’s votes. Jalen hurts is “runner up MVP award winner too”
2. Dak is the highest paid player in the history of the NFL he will no longer have the best rosters, period the end. He’s paid like a guy who has one a Super Bowl and is now overpaid. But he hasn’t even won one he’s just flat overpaid.
3. In summary, we have to stop giving dak credit for doing nothing and having no special FOOTBALL qualities. Stop with his leadership nonsense. Leaders lead teams to actual accomplishments not we all like each other and gee ain’t dak a swell guy.
I agree with this story!! I’ve been saying the same thing for a long time!! It takes a whole team to win, not just the QB!! Daks stats prove he’s a top tier QB!! He just needs a better team to help him win!!
Dak is a top 15 qb you are correct
You get clicks by attacking Dak. The telling item is getting Dak TWO receivers is seen as some extraordinary excess that Dak should score 10 pass TD a game. TWO receivers! Now, to every other team, two real receivers is just a minimum. Dak has had so little weapons over his career. Elliott was a Media hype who had 1 exceptional year and one very good year in his whole career. And please, the Dallas runners this year are not good as indiviuals or as a group. Worst in the league . The Dallas offense line is bad at pass blocking. So, the reality is Dak carries a bunch of bad players on offense and Pickens is HOPED to not be the head case he was in Pittsburgh and Pickens is the miracle second receiver..
The idea that dak has carried anything makes you not worthy of debating. That’s like equating hot to cold
Who’s debating?
Agreed.