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What's On Cowboys' Dak's 'X-Factor' Shoulders In Changing Narratives?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 10:14 AM ET

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will have a lot on his plate entering the 2025 season, with the Pro Bowler having to quell several narratives around him.

Can Dak stay healthy, bounce back from a poor 2024 season, and now with George Pickens, a "better" offensive line and run game, lead this Cowboys team to the promised land?

We hear fans screaming no, and that is justified based on Prescott's previous history, but Dak, some might feel, is now out of excuses, given what has been put around him this offseason.

As such, Pro Football Focus has named him Dallas' X-Factor entering the new season.

"Prescott is a prime bounce-back candidate after earning a career-low 67.2 PFF passing grade in his eight games last season," Pro Football Focus writes. "That came on the heels of his career-high 86.9 PFF passing grade in 2023. If Prescott plays closer to his 2023 form with wide receiver George Pickens in the fold, Dallas has plenty of talent to secure a postseason berth."

It is no secret that the Cowboys will go as far as Dak takes them, which, based on history, is to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Is this current Dallas team capable of surpassing that? Color us skeptical on that right now.

Under Brian Schottenheimer, Prescott won't be the driving force, instead leaning on a run game that should be far better than it was a year ago and an offensive line that knows it must be the heartbeat of the team.

But make no mistake - all eyes are on Mr. Prescott in 2025.

With several narratives that need to be squashed, can Dak be the "X-Factor" his team needs him to be?

If Schottenheimer is to have success in Year 1, Prescott might have to be.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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