Dak Prescott is entering his 11th season with the Dallas Cowboys and continues to be one of the NFL’s most respected leaders, consistently earning his teammates’ admiration. Former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett recently recalled a moment that proved Prescott’s ability to inspire those around him and motivate them to strive for excellence.
Jason Garrett Shares Untold Story Behind Dak Prescott’s Rise in Dallas
Though Garrett drafted Prescott in the fourth round with the focus of him becoming the team’s future, he was initially concerned about how the quarterback would adapt from the college gun offense at Mississippi State to the pro-style offense required in Dallas. Those doubts quickly disappeared after injuries to Kellen Moore and Tony Romo forced Prescott into the starting lineup.
Garrett reflected on Prescott’s emergence as a rookie in an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show.
“We lose the first game, and then we win 11 in a row,” Garrett said. “And probably eight weeks into that stretch, I remember asking him — I said, ‘Dak, how are you doing this? How are you getting these guys to play for you?’ Because the guys on our team absolutely loved playing for him, and it was obvious that they were playing for him.
“And I said, ‘I never see you make any speech or anything like that. You’re never like hollering at guys or whatever things that you anticipate leaders to do.’ He said, ‘No, coach, I can’t do that. The biggest thing I’ve tried to do is develop relationships with the guys.’ It’s easier on the offensive side of the ball, more difficult on the defensive side of the ball, but he would play chess with some of the defensive guys.”
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Prescott’s reputation as a leader has only grown since then. Following the Cowboys’ selection of Tyler Booker in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Prescott was among the first veterans to contact the rookie.
Prescott also managed a talented but potentially challenging receiving room featuring CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens throughout last season. He kept both wide receivers engaged while helping maintain unity within the offense.
Prescott’s leadership has also earned lasting admiration from former teammates, as former Cowboys star Jourdan Lewis, who spent eight seasons alongside Prescott in Dallas, praised the quarterback’s resilience.
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“I love Dak,” Lewis said in an appearance on the “Just Earn It” podcast. “I love the type of leader he is, the type of player he is. He’s gone through so much, and he fights back every time. I believe in him.”
One can go on speaking about how Prescott values his teammates. Even when longtime offensive line stars Zack Martin and Tyron Smith announced their retirements, both made a point of recognizing Prescott’s leadership during their farewell ceremonies.
Prescott’s influence away from the field has long been acknowledged, but his focus now is on translating that leadership into postseason success.
The Cowboys have not reached the Super Bowl in 30 seasons, and Prescott understands the pressure to change that luck in 2026. He finished last season with an 82.1 grade in the PFN QB Impact, ranking No. 6 in the league.
