Dak Prescott describes the challenges of OTAs amid fatherhood

Dak Prescott‘s offseason is looking very different these days after the 30-year-old quarterback welcomed his first child into the world in February. The Cowboys star has been over the moon about the new arrival, as evidenced by his many posts of baby MJ on social media as of late. This week during OTAs, Prescott opened up about his new life as a father and how it’s impacted his pre-season training.

“It’s been great,” Prescott said. “I credit Mom at home. She’s a champion. She allows me to come in here and focus when I need to focus and she makes sure that house runs. Honestly, I’m blessed to be able to come in and give all my energy here. Give all my attention here. But then the moment I break these walls, I’m excited to get back to the little girl and see my family. It’s been a blessing and a great balance.”

There’s now a little family waiting for Prescott to come home from work every day but his mindset about the team hasn’t changed. The pressure to win certainly hasn’t let up. As the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks try to break through their respective conference finals this week, the pressure on the Dallas Cowboys has only increased.

After watching the Texas Rangers win the World Series last year and witnessing the success of the local NHL and NBA franchises, the Cowboys quarterback is only more “fired up” to bring fans a Super Bowl. And if not a Super Bowl, at least a conference title.

Dak Prescott tells reporters: ‘I don’t play for money’

Prescott, like several of his Cowboys teammates, is hoping for a contract extension this offseason. However, unlike a couple of his teammates, he’s not holding out of OTAs and other voluntary team practices. Part of Prescott’s willingness to show up even when he’s not required to stems from his leadership role on the team, but the other part is his mentality about the game. The former fourth-rounder told reporters on Wednesday that he would give up money “just to play.”

“I don’t play for money. Never have never cared for it, to be honest with you, yeah,” Prescott said at Cowboys OTAs. “Would give it up just to play this game. So, I allow that to the business people to say what it’s worth, what they’re supposed to give a quarterback of my play, a person of my play, a leader of my play. For me, it’s about, as I said, control what I can control and handle that part and the rest will take care of itself.”

“Right now, it’s about being my best for this team right now in this moment. OTAs is helping these guys out, and just focused on that, and I know my business will take care of itself,” Prescott added. “Been in it before, experienced and just controlling what I can right now.”

Prescott signed a four-year, $160 million deal in 2021. Dallas has him locked in for now, but an extension would be financially healthy for the Cowboys. Prescott’s cap hit for the 2024 season is $55.445 million, but by extending him, they could alleviate some of that pressure.