Cowboys offseason countdown: 99 facts until the regular season (Day 4)

We countdown the days to kickoff giving you an interesting fact about each number. Today is number 4

We are at day 4 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 4.

He was taken in the fourth round, he’s fourth among Cowboys quarterbacks in total wins, he wears 4 for Dallas. Yes you guessed it, we’re talking Dak Prescott.

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Rayne Dakota Prescott was born July 29th, 1993 and was drafted by Dallas in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. The team had their starting quarterback in Tony Romo, and future offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was the team’s backup quarterback. During a routine practice, Kellen Moore had broken his ankle and was placed on season-ending injured reserve. In a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, Romo was injured after an awkward tackle and would lead to the much beloved signal-caller missing a large portion of the season with a back injury.

This situation propelled the young rookie quarterback from Mississippi State into the starting role, marking the first time a rookie has started at quarterback for the Cowboys since Quincy Carter in 2001. What followed was astonishing, as Dak had 3,667 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, and only four interceptions. This remarkable season instilled genuine optimism among Cowboys fans, leading to Dak receiving the Rookie Offensive Player of the Year award and earning a spot in his inaugural Pro Bowl.

In the subsequent two seasons, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys demonstrated significant productivity as an offensive team. While Dak’s passing efficiency remained largely consistent, his ability to scramble and rush became crucial in propelling Dallas to victories. He secured his inaugural playoff victory against the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 and made a return to the Pro Bowl.

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

In 2019, Prescott concluded the season with 4,902 passing yards, placing him second in the league, alongside 30 touchdowns, which ranked fourth among starting quarterbacks, and 11 interceptions. The team finished with an 8-8 record, ultimately missing the playoffs. The following year, 2020, was marked by Dak’s prominence in the headlines due to his contract negotiations and his status under the franchise tag.

Dak was performing exceptionally well, enjoying a career year until a devastating ankle injury in Week 5 sidelined him for the remainder of the season. His performance had been remarkable, suggesting he was in contention for the MVP award. As the next season approached, discussions regarding Dak’s contract dominated the news cycle. Ultimately, he signed a four-year contract extension worth $160 million, with $126 million guaranteed. This agreement included a signing bonus of $66 million, which was the largest in NFL history at that time.

In 2021, Dak had a fruitful season despite the challenges of recovering from a severe ankle injury. He played a crucial role in leading the team to another playoff appearance, but their journey was cut short by the San Francisco 49ers. In a dramatic final play with just 14 seconds remaining, Prescott executed a quarterback draw for 17 yards but was unable to spike the ball in time to stop the clock, resulting in the team’s elimination from the playoffs once again.

The 2022 season did not commence as anticipated for Dak Prescott. In the opening game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he sustained a thumb injury after his hand collided with a defender’s helmet, resulting in a fracture. Consequently, Prescott was sidelined for six weeks before making his return in Week 7. By the conclusion of the season, he had accumulated 2,860 passing yards, achieved a completion rate of 66.2%, thrown 23 touchdowns, and recorded a season-high of 15 interceptions over the course of 12 games. The interception rate became a focal point in mainstream media throughout the offseason, overshadowing the positive achievements Prescott had made that year. In the Wild Card Round, he excelled by completing 25 of 33 passes for 305 yards, along with four passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, leading the Cowboys to a 31–14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This marked Prescott’s most significant playoff win, signaling to other teams the Cowboys’ potential.

The following week, Dallas faced the 49ers in the Divisional Round, where the game concluded with a score of 19-12.

In 2023, Dak Prescott arguably experienced his finest individual season to date. He topped the league with 36 passing touchdowns, ranked third in passing yards with a total of 4,516, and secured the second position in passer rating at 105.9. Additionally, his 242 rushing yards marked the highest total since his 2019 campaign. Despite his remarkable performance and showcasing some of the best football of his career, the team was unable to advance in the playoffs, perpetuating the ongoing discussion regarding his playoff success, or the absence thereof.

Dak Prescott ranks among the elite QBs in the entire NFC. However, a significant obstacle for him is his playoff performance, which currently reflects a record of 2-5. Despite his numerous accomplishments and records during the regular season, these achievements are often overshadowed by the team’s inability to advance deep into the playoffs. Notably, Dak boasts a career completion rate of 67%, the highest among starting quarterbacks in Dallas, along with 29,459 passing yards, which ranks third, and 202 passing touchdowns, placing him second. This impressive portfolio underscores his talent, yet he must secure additional playoff victories to solidify his reputation as the quarterback capable of leading Dallas to a Super Bowl. Furthermore, this season may be pivotal for his future with the team, depending on the front office’s decisions.