The Dallas Cowboys are set to begin their offseason program with quarterback Dak Prescott working back from his Week 9 hamstring injury. The team has undergone several changes this offseason, including naming Brian Schottenheimer as head coach, losing DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency, and seeing Zack Martin retire.
Prescott is now the team’s longest-tenured player, and tight end Jake Ferguson recently posted a short video highlighting the quarterback’s post-surgery body transformation.
Dak Prescott Looks Slim at Post-Surgery Workout
The Cowboys were a mess in 2024, finishing 7-10 and landing the No. 12 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Prescott led Dallas to a 3-4 record before going down in Week 9 with a partial hamstring avulsion. He was inactive for a couple of weeks before eventually undergoing surgery.
Prescott finished the season with 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He ranked No. 30 in PFSN’s QB+ metric, posting -0.05 EPA per dropback (30th), a 32.1% third-down conversion rate (32nd), and 6.5 net yards per attempt (22nd). He struggled from a clean pocket (0.11; 31st) and wasn’t much better under pressure (-0.40; 25th).
It was a shortened season, but 2024 easily ranks as one of the worst of Prescott’s career. It wasn’t what the Cowboys expected after signing him to a massive four-year, $240 million extension last offseason. He’s still the NFL’s highest-paid player by annual value, but he’ll need to bounce back for Dallas to feel good about the deal.
Prescott’s rehab appears to be on track, and the quarterback is expected to be ready for the regular season. Ahead of the team’s offseason program, Prescott got in a throwing session with his tight end. Ferguson happened to record a video of the quarterback looking lean as he headed into workouts.
Cowboys reporter Brandon Loree posted Ferguson’s video in a recent tweet.
#Cowboys Jake Ferguson calling Dak Prescott the ‘Slim Reaper’ saying he’s “down 50lbs.”
Another offseason throwing session between the All-Pro QB and Pro Bowl TE.
(🎥: @jqfergy11 on IG) pic.twitter.com/7Y8r4ti9va
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 8, 2025
In the video, Ferguson says, “Slim Reap. Slim Reap,” while Prescott tries to hold back a laugh. Ferguson also added the caption, “Slim Reaper @_4DAK Down 50LB! Lookin like a young 4!”
Ferguson was second on the team in receptions (59) and third in yards (494) last season. Cooper Rush took over for Prescott and held his own in his first extended action as a starter. He went 4-4, throwing for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns. But the Cowboys’ offense had little spark after losing its starting quarterback.
The unit finished No. 23 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric. Neither Prescott nor Rush could sustain momentum. Dallas ranked 28th in passing success rate and 29th in EPA per dropback in 2024. Before Prescott’s injury, they were 27th and 22nd in those metrics, respectively.
The Cowboys ‘ top priority this offseason is getting their franchise quarterback back to full strength. The front office chose to be “selectively aggressive” in free agency and has yet to extend all-world outside linebacker Micah Parsons. But for Dallas to contend, Prescott has to return to his 2023 form — the one that saw him finish second in MVP voting.
That year, he threw for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while leading Dallas to a 12-5 record and an NFC East title. Dropping 50 pounds is a huge change for someone listed at 238, but the Cowboys are hoping he can still handle the physical toll of playing quarterback in the NFL.