In 2025, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott may be forced to abandon one of his most recognizable habits. As highlighted by NFL analyst Danny Parkins and supported by recent statements from Dallas’ new coaching staff, Prescott’s pre-snap cadence has become a liability rather than an asset.
Why Dak Prescott Must Change His Pre-Snap Cadence in 2025
During an appearance on FS1’s “Breakfast Ball,” Parkins addressed a key issue in Prescott’s gameplay that became increasingly noticeable in recent seasons.
.@DannyParkins reveals why Dak Prescott may need to develop a new cadence at the line of scrimmage.
“Dak Prescott over the last couple years has a noticeable pre-snap cadence. ‘Here we go!!’ He started doing it in 2023. [Since then] his sack % increased significantly.” pic.twitter.com/M7EtvgmuRU
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) May 30, 2025
“Dak Prescott, the last couple of years, has a very noticeable pre-snap cadence. He goes, ‘Yeah. Here we go.’ And then he hikes it all the time,” Parkins explained. “And he started doing it in 2023. What happened in 2023? His sack percentage increased significantly.”
Prescott averaged 4.5 sacks in the three seasons before the cadence was implemented, but sacks spiked to 5.9 in 2023 and 6.7 in 2024.
As Parkins pointed out, the consistency of Prescott’s cadence has given defenses a critical advantage by timing the snap with ease. “When you say, ‘Here we go’ to help your offensive line out, you’re also helping the defensive line. It’s a bit of a tell … They’re developing the tell away from him, so his cadence is going to be different this year.”
Parkins emphasized that this observation wasn’t speculative. The notoriety of the phrase extended into Cowboys Nation culture, underscoring how deeply the issue has become embedded in public perception.
This concern seems to have reached the Cowboys’ new coaching staff as well. New offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer hinted that changes may be on the horizon. While he did not confirm the end of the cadence, Schottenheimer noted that because the other quarterbacks weren’t matching the same rhythm or tone, adjustments to the cadence might be made moving forward.
READ MORE: Brian Schottenheimer Raises Eyebrows With Surprising Comment About Cowboys QB
This opens the door to possible modifications or even a complete overhaul. “It is certainly within the realm of possibility that that becomes only a minor change … Then again, it could end up being a more drastic change, such as shifting to a clap,” SI’s Matt Galatzan wrote.
Any such adjustment would not only benefit Prescott’s timing but also bring consistency across the quarterback room. Ultimately, the change appears inevitable. As Parkins concluded, “They’re developing the tell away from him, so his cadence is going to be different this year.” With the new regime in place and defensive predictability under scrutiny, Prescott’s signature cadence may soon be a thing of the past.
He should mix up how many times he says set before he says go. He might get some flags