Argument that Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is underrated gains steam

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Argument that Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is underrated gains steam

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 16, 2026 3:38 PM ET

Being the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys would make any player polarizing. While many have spent time arguing Dak Prescott is overrated, the counter opinion that he's actually underrated exists, too.

ESPN analyst Kevin Clark recently made the case that the Cowboys' veteran signal caller is the most underappreciated player in football, something that can be supported by his numbers.

Kevin Clark argues Dak Prescott is underappreciated

"Look at his numbers last year," Clark said. "Offensively, no issue driving the ball down the field. Probably the best placation passer in all of football for long stretches of last season."

"I think he's [Dak Prescott] the most underappreciated. ...He’s become a punchline because of the sins of Jerry Jones’ roster building. And cowboys fans always overhype their team."

Prescott is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, throwing for 4,552 yards while completing 67.3% of his passes and tossing 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptors. He posted a 70.2 QB rating, the sixth 70+ rating out of his 10 seasons to date.

“I think [Dak Prescott] is the most underappreciated. ... He’s become a punchline because of the sins of Jerry Jones’ roster building. And cowboys fans always overhype their team.” @bykevinclark talks about Dak Prescott having an MVP season pic.twitter.com/x2NUeYGYM9
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 16, 2026

But unfortunately for Prescott, and as Clark mentioned, his production often gets overshadowed by how his team performs as a group. The Cowboys missed the playoffs last year, going 7-9-1 with Prescott under center. His career record is 85-55-1, but his playoff mark is only 2-5.

Prescott is not solely to blame for the Cowboys' failures as a team

Supporting Clark's argument and the stance of Prescott being underrated, the Cowboys' failures as a team shouldn't all go against the quarterback. Football is the consummate team game and Prescott has endured being part of Cowboys teams with poor defensive units and other issues.

Just like every win is not strictly about the quarterback, neither is every loss. That's been evident throughout Prescott's career.

Prescott's numbers compare favorably to the top QBs over the last decade

Separating team accomplishment from actual individual play, Prescott firmly has a claim as being one of the top quarterbacks in the game and is among the most valuable players to his team when healthy.

Through 10 years and 139 starts, Prescott has 35,989 passing yards, 243 touchdowns through the air - the seventh most in the last 10 years - and 92 interceptions. The 32-year-old is also a four-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in touchdown passes in 2023 after being named the Offensive Rookie of the Year at the beginning of his journey in 2016.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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