Former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett has never been one to hold back when defending his former players, and his latest comments about Dak Prescott are making waves across the NFL.
In a sport where narratives are often shaped by playoff failures rather than consistent excellence, Garrett — who coached the Dallas Cowboys from 2010 to 2019 — is pushing back hard against the critics. His message is clear: Dak Prescott is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the league, and the constant scrutiny he faces is unfair.
Garrett’s Strong Defense of Prescott
During recent appearances on podcasts and broadcasts, Garrett didn’t mince words. He called out “clowns on TV” who claim Prescott is overrated or not a top-10 quarterback.
“Dak just plays the game at a high level. I hear these clowns on TV say he’s overrated, he’s not in the top 10. Watch the game! He’s an incredible football player. Great leader for that team.”
Garrett knows Prescott better than most. He was instrumental in drafting him in the fourth round in 2016 out of Mississippi State. While many questioned whether the gun-slinger from college could adapt to the pro-style offense, Prescott proved everyone wrong almost immediately.
In his rookie season, with Tony Romo and Kellen Moore injured, Prescott stepped in and led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record. Garrett admitted he initially underestimated how quickly Dak would adapt.
“I felt like I got the evaluation on Dak Prescott wrong… I thought his transition was going to take longer. Well, you know the story. He loses the first game and then rattles off 11 straight wins.”
Garrett emphasized that Prescott has improved every single year. “He’s been fantastic right from the start, and he’s gotten better and better and better.”
The Team Game Reality
One of Garrett’s strongest points is that quarterback performance is often a reflection of the supporting cast. When the Cowboys have run the ball effectively and played solid defense, Prescott has elevated his game to an elite level.
He even compared Prescott’s playoff narrative to Hall of Famer John Elway, who struggled in the postseason early in his career before winning Super Bowls once the Broncos built a stronger team around him.
“There have been a lot of great players at this position who had some struggles early on, and then when they broke through, they broke through — typically because the team around them got better.”
Garrett believes the same can happen for Prescott if the Cowboys improve their roster depth and defensive consistency.
Dak Prescott’s 2025 Season: Stats Don’t Lie
Despite the Cowboys finishing the 2025 season with a disappointing 7-9-1 record and missing the playoffs, Prescott delivered one of his strongest campaigns. He threw for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions while completing 67.3% of his passes with a passer rating of 99.5.
Prescott ranked among the top quarterbacks in several key categories, particularly in clutch situations. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he earned an elite 87.8 passing grade in high-leverage moments — one of the best marks of his career.
With weapons like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, Prescott continued to prove he can elevate those around him. Garrett has repeatedly pointed out that Prescott’s leadership and ability to connect with different personalities (including helping integrate Pickens) is one of his greatest strengths.
Why the Underrated Label Persists
The main reason Prescott remains underrated boils down to the intense pressure in Dallas. In a franchise with Super Bowl expectations and a massive spotlight, regular-season success often gets overshadowed by postseason shortcomings.
Garrett argues this is an unfair standard. Many legendary quarterbacks faced similar criticism early on before breaking through with better supporting casts. At age 32 and entering his 11th season, Prescott is still playing at a high level and shows no signs of slowing down.
What’s Next for Prescott and the Cowboys?
As the Cowboys look to rebuild and improve for the 2026 season, Prescott remains the undisputed leader and franchise quarterback. With his experience, arm talent, and work ethic, many believe his best football could still be ahead — especially if the front office gives him the help he needs on both sides of the ball.
Jason Garrett’s message serves as a powerful reminder: Watch the tape. Dak Prescott is not just a good quarterback — he’s an elite one who consistently gives his team a chance to win.
What do you think? Is Dak Prescott underrated like Jason Garrett says, or does he get the criticism he deserves? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, share this article with fellow Cowboys fans, and stay tuned for more NFL analysis!