Pressure is the same for new dad Prescott
Dak Prescott has a new look and vibe entering this offseason along with the same pressures of the highprofile job he holds.
The Cowboys' quarterback announced Monday he's a father. He didn't reveal the name, only referring to his daughter as “baby MJ” and saying that mom and baby are doing fine. During the 2023 season, Prescott noted the baby girl might come earlier than the March due date. Baby MJ was welcomed to the world Feb. 29.
Prescott showed up at Northpark Center along with Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman to announce the 34th annual Children's Cancer Fund Gala. Aikman and Prescott are co-chairs of this children's fashion show raising money for kids fighting cancer. In Prescott's second-year as co-chair with Aikman, he said hugging the kids of all ages resonated with him more because he is a dad.
“I feel different,” he said. “I guess especially when you wake up in the morning and you see that baby. You understand that responsibility. Everything that I've always wanted for myself but you want that for somebody else even more. Yeah, it's special.”
The gala named “A Knight to Remember” will take place April 19 at the Hilton Anatole.
Before that date there are a few football items on Prescott's plate. He seeks a new contract, something he's confident will happen.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he's not afraid to lose Prescott, but if a deal isn't completed, QB1 hits the open market in 2025.
The Cowboys can't franchise or trade Prescott, a direct result of the contract agreement reached in 2021 when he signed a four-year $160 million deal.
“I'm definitely confident,” Prescott said about a new contract getting done. “Obviously it helps the team and it's important for the numbers, so I think that is a process. Both sides understand that. Everything is great. It will happen.”
He also heard about his
boss saying the franchise is “all-in” for the 2024 season. Prescott, ever the optimist, wasn't quite sure what that means.
“I've heard that one,” he said. “I'm excited to see it honestly. I don't know. I can't say I've had talks with (Jones) about what is all-in and how he plans on making those moves but we'll see.”
Prescott's perspective on life is normally on point. He talks about being blessed, as he did when
mentioning changing baby MJ'S diapers (he changed the first one). He doesn't take himself too seriously, admits his failings and continues as a good example of what the face-of-the-franchise should be. There are expectations with that.
Last season, Prescott and his team failed to reach a desired goal of a championship. You can say this is the case every season with Prescott and this franchise.
But last season was different. The Cowboys clawed
their way to the No. 2 seed to win the NFC East and secure at least two home playoff games. A home loss to the Packers, the youngest team in the postseason, stung badly.
The offseason was spent with Ceedee Lamb's mom saying Prescott doesn't want to win a title. Micah Parsons' brother ripped the fans. Prescott's brother also got into it with some fans on social media. We had Parsons saying there's a chemistry problem, something Jones didn't believe was the case.
When you're the quarterback of the Cowboys, dealing with all sorts of drama in-season and out is part of the job description. Win a title and everything subsides until you win the next one. If you can.
Just ask Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys.
“Until you do it, there's always the questions whether or not you can,” Aikman said. “I do think this last year is going to be a year the organization, and the players, everybody involved looks back on and feels that they really missed an opportunity.”
The 29-year-old Prescott led the NFL in completions (410) and touchdowns (36), one year removed from leading the league in interceptions (15).
He had one of his best seasons until the playoff loss. He walks into this offseason with a fresh look. He's got a nearly bald head with a thick black goatee, he's a first-time dad and got a potential new contract on the horizon that might net him a $60 million average salary. Everything is new other than the pressures of winning.
“At this point, unfortunately, I've dealt with it for some years,” he said. “I don't want to say (the playoff loss) necessarily helped rather than just experiences and understanding what this year was. The greatness that came from this year. What we missed out on. A lot of times, to myself, being home allowed me to shut the door on that one. Turn the page in the workouts and the offseason and try to figure out what is needed to get better and change things.”