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Dak Prescott’s season with the Dallas Cowboys has been anything but smooth, and he’s openly acknowledged his underwhelming play as the team sits at 3-4, third in the NFC East. The Cowboys are well off pace in the playoff race, and their challenging upcoming schedule only adds to their struggles.
Prescott, once celebrated for his dual-threat ability, seems to have pulled back on his rushing game this season—a move he addressed in a recent interview, noting with a hint of humor that his rushing stats are lower than even some aging quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Andy Dalton. “It’s bad… A lot of stats are crazy… [It’s] bad,” he said, admitting the drop-off in his performance.
The numbers back up Prescott’s self-assessment. This season, he’s averaging just 3.1 rushing yards per game—the lowest in his career by a significant margin. For a quarterback who once put up a minimum of 14 rushing yards per game in nearly every season, this shift has surprised fans and analysts alike. Prescott’s minimized mobility has turned him into more of a pocket passer, impacting his overall game and resulting in his lowest passer rating to date at 84.5.
Prescott’s passing stats reflect a wider problem: he has a completion rate of only 46.1%, his third-worst in nine seasons. Although he’s managed 10 touchdown passes in seven games, he has also thrown eight interceptions, raising questions about his effectiveness under pressure. Remaining in the pocket has exposed him to more sacks, with a sack rate of 6.43%—a direct result of fewer scrambling plays.
Jerry Jones, Cowboys’ owner and GM, remains adamant about limiting Prescott’s risk on the ground, saying in his regular segment on 105.3 The Fan that the team is determined to avoid potential injuries from rushing plays. Despite Prescott’s struggles, the Cowboys are unwilling to alter this stance, forcing him to adapt within these constraints.
Prescott’s four-year, $240 million extension in the offseason promised big things for Dallas, yet the quarterback’s restrained role has contributed to an offense now ranked 21st in the league—down from first just a season ago. With playoff chances dimming, the Cowboys are under intense pressure to adapt. As the season progresses, the team and its fans can only hope that Prescott finds a way to deliver, balancing his skillset within the team’s cautious approach.