As the 2025 NFL season looms, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott faces a familiar barrage of questions. But none looms larger than this: which version of Dak will show up? ESPN’s Dan Graziano has thrown down the gauntlet, suggesting that Prescott’s health and consistency could make or break the Cowboys’ season.
Prescott’s injury history is starting to cast a long shadow. Last season, a hamstring injury sidelined him in Week 9, cutting his campaign short. Over the past five years, he’s only managed to play two full seasons. Despite this, the Cowboys have leaned on Prescott’s ability to deliver when healthy, winning the NFC East in four of his six fully healthy seasons. Even with his midseason exit last year, Dallas scraped together a 7-10 record, showing resilience but also exposing vulnerabilities.
Now, with his hamstring injury in the rearview, Prescott is expected to return to full health for training camp. The Cowboys have bolstered their arsenal, adding dynamic wide receiver George Pickens to complement star CeeDee Lamb. Pair that with hopes for an improved running game and a revamped offensive line post-Zack Martin, and the stage is set for Prescott to shine. But the question remains: can he stay on the field?
Graziano emphasizes that a healthy Prescott is a game-changer. “The Cowboys hope it’s the healthy version,” he writes, pointing to Prescott’s track record of leading Dallas to the playoffs when he plays a full season. With new head coach Brian Schottenheimer at the helm, the goal is clear: get Prescott back to his Pro Bowl form and steer the Cowboys to postseason glory.
Yet, skepticism lingers. Some analysts aren’t sold on Dallas’ prospects for 2025, with Prescott’s health and Schottenheimer’s unproven leadership raising red flags. The Cowboys’ offensive line, now without Martin, must hold up against fierce NFC East rivals like Philadelphia and Washington. If it does, and if Prescott can shake off the injury bug, Dallas could be a serious contender.
The spotlight is on Prescott’s hamstring and his ability to reclaim his elite form. When healthy, his playmaking is undeniable, but the NFL is unforgiving, and doubts about his durability persist. As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Dak to see if he can silence the critics and deliver the Cowboys to the promised land—or if his injury-prone alter ego will doom their season.