FRISCO, Texas - Football season is getting closer and closer.
The Cowboys are set to depart for training camp in less a month. That's when we'll get the first up-close look at Brian Schottenheimer's first season with this revised roster and coaching staff. When we get to Oxnard, that's when we'll start to get some real answers about this 2025 Cowboys team.
But what are the questions? We've compiled our annual list of pressing questions that need answers heading into the regular season. The staff writers, consisting of Patrik Walker, Tommy Yarrish, Nick Eatman, Mickey Spagnola, Kyle Youmans and Kurt Daniels, weigh in on some of the pressing issues.
Today's question is about Dak Prescott, and what it will take for him to return to the type of season that had him as the NFL MVP runner-up just a few years ago.
2) Can Dak return to his MVP-caliber form?
Tommy: He absolutely can, if he stays healthy. The Cowboys have bolstered the offensive line and added another dynamic weapon on the outside in George Pickens, two things that should play very well into Prescott's favor. The biggest detriments to him getting back to that form is unknowns around the run game and, most importantly, if he can stay healthy. Prescott has proven multiple times over the course of his career that he's capable of playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The issue has always been consistency and availability. He's also benefitting from the Cowboys hiring a playcaller and head coach in Brian Schottenheimer, who is familiar with his game and can set him up to play to his strengths. That's a lot of things that all have to go right and coincide, you can debate amongst yourselves if you think Prescott will play that well, but there's no question of his capability to return to MVP form because he's already been there.
Mickey: Why not, especially with that hamstring tendon reattached to the bone, so don't forget that stellar 2023 season. Look, remember what Dak was up against last year, during those first seven games, then lost for the season in the eighth. On the offensive line he had a rookie playing center for the first time in his football career and starting on top of that. He had a rookie starting at left tackle after playing limited time in college at right tackle. He had a perennial Pro Bowl guard trying to play through an ankle injury he irritated in training camp that eventually needed season-ending surgery. His lead receiver had missed the entirety of the offseason and all of training camp before signing on Aug. 26. His No. 2 receiver went on IR after four games. And the Cowboys didn't find a running game until later in the season, averaging just 74 yards over the first seven games. Plus, the defense was giving up 28 points a game. In the infamous words of Bill Parcells when talking about quarterbacks, "They ain't out there playing singles."
Kyle: It's hard to argue, a healthy offseason and a healthy Dak Prescott is tough for defenses to deal with. While he's coming off a major injury in 2024, Prescott has been cleared for field activity through the entire Summer. Meaning I'd categorize this as a healthy offseason by the recent standards.
There are a lot of things working in his favor if he doesn't miss games. He has some weapons to throw to. He has a new offensive line. This year has just as much potential as any other campaign for Dak Prescott. As long as he takes care of himself and takes care of the football, I believe he could return to his 2023 form.
Patrik: I don't view Prescott as injury-prone, but the fact is that the All-Pro has missed stretches of time over the past few seasons. The Cowboys' offense simply isn't the same when he isn't on the field, but having stated he's a "full go" for training camp and beyond, he'll simply need to stay behind center to activate with the likes of Lamb and newly-acquired nuclear weapon George Pickens; but let's not completely put Prescott's health on him. After all, if his protection improves up front, he won't take the hits and/or scramble to extend plays as he runs for his life — suffering a torn hamstring while scrambling last season. If the new-look offensive line can dominate, Prescott has a great shot at staying healthy and finding his myriad of weapons that also includes Jake Ferguson.
Nick: I've always thought Dak and Romo are comparable players. Maybe not in their style, but definitely in the way the career has panned out. And when I think about the year Romo finished third in the MVP voting, he had DeMarco Murray rushed for 1,800 yards to win Offensive Player of the Year. Dez Bryant had over 1,300 receiving yards and led the NFL with 16 touchdown catches. My point is that if you have the help, the credit will go to the QB. So yes, Dak can return to form, if and only if he's got some major help aound him. If two or more skill players make the Pro Bowl, then yes he will get in that discussion. That means CeeDee and maybe a big year from Ferguson, Pickens or a running back.
Kurt: The Cowboys sure need him to. They went all-in on Prescott last year with his contract extension and now desperately need him to be successful going forward if they hope to 1) get any return on their investment, and 2) make a lengthy playoff run. As Prescott goes, so goes this team. With that said, yes, I do think he can get back into the same MVP conversation he found himself in during the 2023 season. He's no longer a true dual-threat quarterback, given past injuries, but he still has the overall physical skills and intangibles needed to play the position well. And with a more innovative offense from Brian Schottenheimer, CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson back at full strength, an improving offensive line and, of course, the arrival of George Pickens, Prescott should also have the supporting cast to help him bring home the MVP hardware. Let's hope he can.
