Dak Prescott: An Albatross or an Underrated Star?…

Dak Prescott has once again found himself at the center of debate following another disappointing playoff exit for the Dallas Cowboys.

After a strong regular season, Prescott and the Cowboys failed to deliver in the postseason, adding another chapter to his polarizing legacy.

Critics, including Bleacher Report, have gone as far as to label him an “albatross” for Dallas—a term that suggests he’s an anchor weighing the franchise down. But is that truly the case?

The Easy Target: Prescott in the Crosshairs

When a team with Super Bowl aspirations falls short, the quarterback often takes the brunt of the blame. With a 2-5 career playoff record and just two postseason victories in nine seasons, it’s easy to see why some view Prescott as the primary culprit. But calling him an albatross? That’s a stretch.

It’s important to acknowledge context. Yes, Prescott is playing on a hefty contract, with a cap hit of $60 million this year.

But that deal only kicked in recently—his past struggles can’t be blamed on his current salary.

And when it comes to the numbers, Prescott consistently ranks among the league’s best.

Prescott by the Numbers: A Top 10 QB

For those who argue that Prescott isn’t an elite quarterback, his stats paint a different picture:

• Seventh in passing yards (31,471) since 2016
• Sixth in completion percentage (66.9%)
• Eighth in touchdowns (213)
• Eighth in interceptions (82), showing he’s not as turnover-prone as critics claim
• Tenth in passer rating (98.2)
• Fifth in total wins (76, tied with Josh Allen)

Those numbers aren’t mediocre—they’re top-10 caliber. If Prescott is truly holding the Cowboys back, then many teams would love to have a quarterback “holding them back” in the same way.

The Real Issue: Team Failures, Not Just Dak

Football is the ultimate team sport. Prescott has performed well, but the Cowboys’ playoff failures extend beyond him.

Coaching decisions, defensive collapses, and an inability to win big games as a collective unit have plagued Dallas for years.

Additionally, Prescott has had to carry the load at times without a dominant run game or a top-tier defense—two factors that historically define Super Bowl champions. Compare that to the success of Patrick Mahomes, who benefits from an elite coach in Andy Reid and a strong defensive unit led by Steve Spagnuolo.

Final Verdict: Prescott Deserves More Credit

Labeling Prescott an albatross is not just unfair—it’s inaccurate. Is he a perfect quarterback? No. But is he a liability?

Absolutely not. His consistent production proves that he’s one of the better quarterbacks in the league, and while he hasn’t yet led Dallas to the promised land, the blame for that falls on the entire organization, not just him.

The real question isn’t whether Prescott is an albatross—it’s whether the Cowboys as a whole are built for postseason success.

Until they prove otherwise, Prescott will remain the easy scapegoat. But for those who truly understand the game, it’s clear: he’s not the problem.