Cowboys' Dak Prescott Talks Criticism, Says 'Nobody Wants to Win More Than Me'

Dak Prescott has earned a reputation as a solid regular-season quarterback but one who often struggles come the playoffs. His 2-5 record in those games backs that up, and while Prescott is familiar with the narrative, it's one he's hoping to change.

"[Criticism] comes with the territory," he told Clarence Hill of All City DLLS (h/t Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk). "That comes with the $60 million. It is what it is. And if I'm sensitive to the truth, then I've got a problem with life. Nobody's more upset; nobody's more pissed; nobody's more disappointed about that than I am. Nobody wants to win more than me. I have the proof in what I do, in my hours and my habits of preparation. I understand it's a team game, but at the end of the day, the quarterback is paid to fill in those gaps, and when you're not playing well, to understand that and to bring the team back. And have I done that when I needed to? Absolutely not in those crucial times. And if I had, the record wouldn't be 2-5. That's being a realist. However, I know what I put into this game. I do it all for a purpose. And when I go through the fire, that just says it's shaping up what's to come."

Prescott is the totality of the talking points he regularly inspires.

He is a three-time Pro Bowler with three seasons of more than 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He has led the Cowboys to the postseason five times. He has struggled once he's gotten there, with 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and the aforementioned 2-5 record. Injuries have hampered him in three of the past five seasons. He is talented, but his struggles in the clutch have earned criticism. He is not the best quarterback in the NFL, and not particularly close, but his $60 million average annual salary is the highest in the sport (which is more a reflection of the Cowboys consistently waiting to extend star players until the last possible minute while the market increases substantially in the process).

Prescott has become a divisive figure given that mélange of characteristics, but he also exists in the amplified petri dish that is the Cowboys Experience, brought to you by Jerry Jones. He's a good quarterback, sometimes great, who hasn't been able to get talented rosters over the hump. There is a long list of NFL quarterbacks who fit that description—Dallas fans are plenty familiar with Tony Romo—but most of them didn't have the added scrutiny that comes with donning "the star."

Prescott—and his many detractors—are aware that doesn't excuse him from a disappointing postseason résumé. But it also doesn't mean he is going to define himself by the talking points of others.

"What I've been through in life, [criticism] doesn't affect me," he told Hill. "It comes with the territory. It comes with $60 million. I get to live out my dream. They get to continue to make judgements. And if that's talking negative on me, that's them. I have the pen in my hand. I'm going to work. It's being confident and knowing that I can get better."