Dallas City News

In this day and age of social media where everyone has a podcast or some vessel that allows them to share their opinions, you never know when something worth listening to will be said. Such is the case with the latest episode of Barstool Sports’ “Million Dollars Worth of Game” podcast, where Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud joined the show to discuss various topics.

However, in the conversation, the statement that is getting the most attention appears to be the discourse between Stroud and the fellas as he gave his top 5 QBs of the NFL following the 2023 season, and yes Dak Prescott was in there.

C.J. Stroud says Dak Prescott is a top 5 QB

Stroud is fresh off of one of the more impressive rookie seasons the NFL has ever seen from a QB. A true MVP candidate who looks to be changing the fortunes of the Texans in the blink of an eye. That doesn’t necessarily mean his opinion is always going to be right, but when a player of this growing stature in the league speaks, it may be worthy of listening.

Stroud putting Dak amongst a group that includes Stroud himself, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts — it’s worth noting.

Say what you want about the inclusion of Hurts here after a down year, but speaking more directly to Prescott and how he is viewed, this take has people talking.

Men lie, numbers don’t

Prescott has never had a losing season in a year he was healthy and has been one of the league’s most consistent QBs for the overwhelming majority of his career.

In 2023 he was first in touchdown passes, third in passing yards, and third in completion percentage behind only Mason Rudolph and Jake Browning who threw 273 fewer passes than Prescott, combined.

A deeper dive into Prescott’s season and the numbers become even clearer as to just how well he played in 2023. He had an 82.6 on-target throw percentage which was tied for first in the NFL, 11.6 bad throw percentage (2nd), 6.0 big-time throw percentage (T-1st), 2.2 turnover-worthy play percentage (T-2nd), and the second best passer rating in the NFL with 105.9.

Nobody denies that this team needs to take the next step in the playoffs, where we would all agree it ultimately matters the most for a proud franchise. However, with a clear look at measurable things, the metrics, numbers, and production tell us that Prescott is more than capable of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Love him or hate him, he commands respect

The discourse surrounding Dak has always run the gamut of opinion. When you’re the QB of America’s Team, the reality is you are under an intense microscope when you wear the star.

Somewhere along the line, his production became his burden as he was no longer looked at as a fun story or an overachieving Day 3 selection, but more as a disappointment that he hasn’t been able to reach the ultimate goal.

Prescott is a high-level QB in the NFL, and the Cowboys brass believe that. They know what they have in him is not easily replaceable, just like many around the NFL. So while fans are going to be either bought in or dismissive on this analysis, the Cowboys front office, and others around the league, see him as a top QB as he’s shown to be throughout his career.