Why pursuing Super Bowl is personal for Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has enjoyed a relatively successful career but has yet to guide the franchise to their first NFC Championship Game appearance since winning the Super Bowl in January 1996.

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Prescott made it clear that he's pursuing a Super Bowl ring for reasons that extend beyond how he'll be remembered decades from now. 

"I want to win a championship," Prescott explained, Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris shared. "The legacy, whatever comes after I finish playing, will take care of itself. I want to win a championship. Be d----- if it’s just for my legacy or if it’s for this team. It’s for my personal being, for my sanity. The legacy will take care of itself." 

Prescott produced arguably his best season in 2023, when he emerged as a finalist for the Most Valuable Player Award. However, Dallas failed to win a single playoff game that campaign, and Prescott's 2024 season ended prematurely due to a hamstring injury.

Prescott, who will turn 32 on July 29, is now looking to put all that went wrong for the club last fall in the past. 

"It’s been a great offseason," Prescott said, per The Athletic's Jon Machota. "It’s going to continue to be a great offseason until we get to camp. Honestly, just the momentum, just staying healthy and the momentum of this minicamp, these (organized team activities) and making sure that I’m not the only one who keeps that momentum, but the rest of the guys. And make sure some of these young guys are doing the things necessary and taking care of their bodies to hit the ground running when we get together in July."

Prescott made it known he's excited to play under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas' offensive coordinator for the past two seasons. He's also looking forward to having former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens as a weapon this September. 

That said, Prescott hinted that he realizes he's facing pressure to do more than put up impressive regular-season numbers after he agreed to a four-year contract extension reportedly worth $240M with $231M guaranteed in September 2024.

"It’s not hard to be reflective," Prescott added during his comments. "I think you have to, especially with how [his 10 seasons] have been. Some being injured, some getting to knocking on the door and not finishing it. What it does, really, is just makes you grateful for the opportunity. Every day you get to walk into this building, you’re healthy. Every day, you get to approach your teammates. You get to approach this game that you love."

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Dallas at +180 betting odds to make the playoffs for the upcoming season. Prescott and Co. will look to prove doubters wrong beginning when the Cowboys open the campaign with a matchup at the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4.