Cowboys' Dak Prescott Says He's Been 'Average' amid 3-3 Start: 'Isn't Good Enough'

Quarterback Dak Prescott gave an honest assessment of his play this week amid the Dallas Cowboys' uneven start to the 2024 NFL regular season.

Speaking to ESPN's Todd Archer, Prescott expressed his belief that he hasn't been good enough for the 3-3 Cowboys, saying:

"I'd say I've played average, and it isn't good enough right now by any means. It's never been good enough for me. I can't say that I've been happy or excited after any of these games that I've played. But understanding there's more plays out there for me to make, whether it's in the design or not. [I'm] capable of it."

Through six games, Prescott is completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 1,602 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions, while also rushing for 25 yards and one score.

Dak's production so far this season pales in comparison to what he did last season when he finished second in the NFL MVP voting and was both a Pro Bowler and Second Team All-Pro.

The 31-year-old veteran enjoyed the best statistical season of his career in 2023, completing 69.5 percent of his passing attempts for 4,516 yards, a league-high 36 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 242 yards and two touchdowns.

Dallas went 12-5 and won the NFC East last season, but the franchise's playoff shortcomings reared their ugly head again, as they were upset 48-32 at home by the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round.

Rather than making sweeping changes after such a disappointing end to the campaign, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones decided to stick with head coach Mike McCarthy and brought back largely the same roster aside from rookies and a few other minor additions.

In fact, Jones doubled down on his core by signing wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136 million contract extension and making Prescott the NFL's highest-paid player in terms of average annual value with a four-year, $240 million deal.

The Cowboys have been a difficult team to get a read on from one week to the next this season. That was apparent over the first two weeks of the season when they blew out the Cleveland Browns on the road and then got crushed 44-19 by the New Orleans Saints at home.

Dallas is coming off an even worse performance, as it was decimated 47-9 at home by the Detroit Lions two weeks ago before limping into a much-needed bye.

Although Prescott and the offense certainly have not been clicking like last season as evidenced by ranking a pedestrian 20th in the NFL with 21.0 points scored per game, it can be argued that defense has been the team's biggest issue.

The Cowboys are 25th in the NFL in total defense and 31st in scoring defense, allowing 28.0 points per game.

Dallas lost defensive coordinator Dan Quinn during the offseason, as he left to become the Washington Commanders' head coach. McCarthy hired former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer in his place, and the early returns have been poor.

The Cowboys went on a big run last season after starting 3-2, so not all hope is lost, but more consistent play will be needed on both sides of the ball in order to push Dallas into the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.