While Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott might be advancing in years, he is more determined than ever to win the Super Bowl.
The 29-year-old entered the league in 2016 and has been with the Cowboys for his entire career so far. The quarterback was named the offensive rookie of the year in his debut season and made two Pro Bowl appearances in 2016 and 2018.
He also has more passing yards and touchdowns than Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach respectively, but the one thing that has eluded Prescott is a championship he - and the team - so desperately desires. Turning 30 at the end of July, Prescott is keen to maximise the remainder of his prime and help the Cowboys get back to the Super Bowl.
“One thousand percent,” Prescott said via the Cowboys' official website. “Just understanding injuries and what I’ve been throughout my career and understanding that you don’t have forever to play this game. I’m blessed for every moment that I get. Just trying to take it with a sense of urgency.”
Prescott possesses a 61-36 regular season record across his career, but is just 2-4 in the playoffs - including defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round last season. The Cowboys have won the Super Bowl on five occasions, the last of which came back in 1995 when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Arizona.
Not only have the NFC East team failed to return to the Super Bowl since then, but they have not even managed to reach the NFC Championship Game. As time continues to tick on the Cowboys’ playoff drought and Prescott’s opportunity to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy, he is trying to both embrace and enjoy this portion of his career.
“I’ve always felt older I guess. Just being 30 doesn’t necessarily bother me,” he added. “Knowing that I am the old guy, going into Year 8, seeing some of the young guys, some of the rookies and seeing the difference in eight years. It’s fun and challenging at times, knowing that I stay connected and stay in the now with what’s cool and whatnot. But this game is beautiful. It doesn’t matter how old you are because you play this game like a kid.”
In preparation for the new season, Prescott and the Cowboys will report for training camp on July 25. The team’s former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore departed after last season, someone Prescott worked closely with behind the scenes.
The player has been adjusting to the different coaching methods but has been enjoying learning from new coach Mike McCarthy, who used to call plays for Aaron Rodgers during his spell at the Green Bay Packers. "Just being able to understand, being in the same wavelength and understanding why he's calling a play, what's the purpose of the play, what he expects out of that, and making sure we're on the same accord there," Prescott said earlier in the offseason regarding his adjustments.
"It has to be that constant communication. [After last week's OTA] he said, 'You know what, go look at everything we put in and make sure we're running the things you like and the things we're good at. If it's something you're a little iffy about, let's get it out. Let's master what we're great at.'"
