Ever since he entered the league, Dak Prescott has been a top-tier starter in the NFL. A fourth-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys, he was inserted into the starting lineup as a rookie and immediately took off.
After a decade of experience under his belt, he’s already put together some incredible campaigns. But according to franchise icon Michael Irvin, he’s still underrated among the other top quarterbacks in the league.
Michael Irvin Goes to Bat for Dak Prescott
Quarterback rankings have always been a hard endeavor. Given the variety in playstyles, systems, and the strength of the team, sometimes it can be impossible to make proper comparisons between two quarterbacks.
Between style, production, team records, and playoff accomplishments, there is no definitive metric for them. But during an appearance on the “It Is What It Is” podcast, Irvin made an explosive claim about Prescott’s standing in the QB hierarchy.
“The only person I will allow you to put in front of Dak is Patrick Mahomes,” Irvin said.
The comment drew immediate backlash from the rest of the people on the show, as they even equated him to the equivalent of Spike Lee for the Cowboys.
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However, Irvin’s belief remained steadfast, as he added, “Spike just throws this stuff out of passion and love. I’m giving you stats and reality. I’m giving you the gospel.”
The debate heats up: Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, and Patrick Mahomes. One commentator insists only Mahomes ranks above Prescott, igniting a fiery discussion on stats, passion, and differing opinions. #NFL #FootballDebate pic.twitter.com/HRMthzFyJR
— It Is What It Is (@iiwiitalk) August 20, 2026
During his time in the league, Prescott has cleared 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns on four separate occasions, while leading the Cowboys to the playoffs five times. The only knock has been his performance during the postseason, where his passer rating falls to 91.8, as opposed to 98.3 in the regular season.
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He’s also finished inside the top-10 of PFN’s Quarterback Impact Metric in four of the last five seasons. But some of his peers in the discussion already have MVPs on their resumes, like Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, and Lamar Jackson, or a Super Bowl appearance like Joe Burrow.
As a result, Prescott hasn’t been seen in the same light as some of the other top quarterbacks in the league despite an incredible statistical profile behind him. But this year, it feels like the Cowboys are as viable a team as any in the NFC.
With an offense retaining most of its players after finishing at number seven on PFN’s Offense Impact Metric last year, as well as a defense that has been almost completely overhauled, they have a roster that could potentially be a contender next season.
A trip back to the postseason, along with a deep run through the playoffs, could change his standing in the eyes of others. But for the time being, he seems to have a huge supporter in Irvin already.
