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Dak Prescott is going to the NFL Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his career.
On Tuesday, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback was named one of three NFC quarterbacks selected for the league’s showcase of the year’s top players. Several of Prescott’s teammates — wide receiver George Pickens and offensive lineman Tyler Smith — will join him in the San Francisco Bay Area during Super Bowl LX week for the Pro Bowl festivities. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and kicker Brandon Aubrey also received nods.
However, the Cowboys won’t be competing in the big game — or the postseason at all, for that matter. Dallas dropped a third straight game in Week 16 to fall to 6-8-1 on the season. The Cowboys have been eliminated from the playoffs.
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Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott answers questions during a press conference after the team’s NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Despite his Pro Bowl nod, Prescott emphasized the importance of winning over personal awards.
“It’s cool. It’s a good thing in the season. Knowing that every year I work my tail off to try to be the best quarterback I can for this team. At the end of the day, I feel like I’m judged on wins,” he said. “I didn’t get it done this season. But the individual numbers, the performance record, allowed for individual recognition, but it’s still 100% a team deal.”
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Prescott then credited his teammates for their contributions to his successes on the field.
“When you’re the quarterback on this team, to put up numbers like that, you’ve got to have receivers like George, CeeDee, Ferg, the rest of the guys. And you’ve got to have a great offensive line. … My success, that recognition, is 100% with every one of those guys in there. It’s not a chill day, but it’s a professional day. What we’re going for.”
Longtime Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones took the blame for the team’s three-decade championship drought.
Quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (R) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on August 10, 2019. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
“I will admit the Cowboys’ leadership has played a big role (in the 30-year Super Bowl drought),” Jones said after last Sunday’s loss. “But seriously, I’m very disappointed that the way we’re structured and my role puts us here tonight. I’m hugely disappointed.”
Prescott will turn 33 before next season starts. Considering there’s more football behind him than in front of him, the veteran signal-caller indicated he wants a more vocal role in the team’s front office decision-making going forward.
Dak Prescott (4) of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
“We don’t want to be back here in this place. I feel like the last couple of times I’ve probably said it was a playoff loss, right? So every year has its own issues. … I’m going to do my best just controlling what I can, and you know, as you get older, have more input, have more say and get asked more questions from the front office, maybe there’s a little more that I can do,” he says.
“It’s not just physical or me getting better at my game. Maybe it’s speaking up and saying, ‘This will help, or I think it might help.’ So whatever it takes, I will do my best and make sure I influence and encourage everyone around me – not just players – to do the same.”
This offseason, the Cowboys front office will weigh re-signing wide receiver George Pickens and running back Javonte Williams. Determining where Tyler Smith will play along the Cowboys’ offensive line next season is another key personnel decision this offseason.
The Washington Commanders host the Cowboys at 1pm ET Christmas Day.
