Dak Prescott has 'number one key' needed for big Dallas Cowboys season

28 July 2023 , 18:44

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Dak Prescott has vowed to reduce his interception total from the 15 he threw in the regular season last year. (Image: Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys star Brandin Cooks has said quarterback Dak Prescott possesses the "number one key" he needs to succeed in the NFL, with the wide receiver praising his signal-caller's leadership heading into a pivotal 2023 season.

Prescott encountered widespread mockery from critics after throwing two interceptions in a 19-12 playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers to end the last campaign. He was picked off more than any other player last year.

However, inside his locker room, the soon-to-be 30-year-old still draws respect from teammates such as Cooks, who feel he's good enough to produce at a much higher level and guide the squad back to the playoffs.

"I'll never get into comparing," Cooks told The Dallas Morning News. "But one thing I say about Dak is just the way he's able to lead. I talked to some of the guys about that the other day. Leading, you just can't fake it. And the way that he leads is so authentic. You'll follow that man anywhere. That alone right there is the number one key in my opinion you've got to have from a quarterback. He has that and more."

Prescott has guaranteed he will reduce his interception tally from the 15 he threw last season. It works in his favour that he'll be a full year removed from the fractured thumb he suffered in 2022, which seemed to affect his accuracy at times. The quarterback threw 10 interceptions with 200 more passing attempts the previous campaign.

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Another offensive change for the Cowboys will be head coach Mike McCarthy taking over play-calling duties. Last year, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore held that responsibility, but he took the same job with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason. Prescott has praised Moore but said he's looking forward to working closer with McCarthy, who used to call plays for Green Bay Packers legend Aaron Rodgers.

The veteran Prescott — who wide receiver CeeDee Lamb recently called "an old man" — must also inspire the players around him to elevate their play as they chase a first NFC championship appearance since the 1995 campaign. It's a tough task considering how the Cowboys have scuffled in big games of late; their loss to the 49ers in January marked their sixth consecutive divisional-round defeat.

Dak Prescott led the NFL in interceptions last season but has been backed to improve in 2023. (Getty Images)

Despite some doubt from outside observers, Cook and people who have seen him up close hold confidence he can carry the organisation to new heights in 2023.

"The best person, I think the best leader I've ever been around, easily," Moore said on The Season with Peter Schrager podcast. "And in all honesty, player or coach or anything. I think his ability to connect with a team in all spectrums is rare, and I've never seen it in any other way.

"His work ethic, his command, I think he's incredible. We've all been through that Dallas journey and he has a phenomenal way of being able to deal with probably more than your average NFL starting quarterback. And he handles it beautifully. He's certainly a guy you forever root for."

Dan Bernstein