Dak Prescott has full confidence in Ezekiel Elliott, rest of Cowboys’ roster

The Dallas Cowboys are always going to be looked at under a tight microscope. They are America’s Team and despite years of trying to make it back to the Super Bowl, they haven’t brought home a Lombardi Trophy in over 26 years. Fans and analysts try and point fingers each season at what went wrong, whether that be the front office decisions or certain players not living up to their standards.

Most recently, quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott have been the brunt of a lot of criticism. Both players are currently under massive contracts and haven’t been performing as well as they used to. Elliott hasn’t made a Pro Bowl since 2019 and has been dealing with both known and unknown (like the PCL tear we didn’t find about until after the 2021 season) injuries for some time.

The quarterback was accused of a slump throughout the latter part of the season, and even though he broke Tony Romo’s single-season franchise touchdown record, many believe he doesn’t have what it takes to be the face of this franchise. Despite it all, Prescott continues to do what he can to lead this team both on and off the field. He remains confident in himself and his players and is ready to prove naysayers wrong.

Elliott is entering a make-or-break season in Dallas. After this season, Elliott’s $90 million extension from 2019 has an “out.” In other words, the Cowboys will lose far less money on their star running back by cutting him after the 2022 season than they would if they wanted to cut him today. However, Prescott doesn’t seem to think that will be necessary at all. A recent quote from the quarterback makes it seem like the former first-rounder’s seventh year could be a big turnaround:

"“Nothing ever changes for my expectations of Zeke, of who he is is, how he leads this team, how he approaches the game. I expect his best. When Zeke is healthy, I don’t think there’s a better back.”"

Dak Prescott has full confidence in Ezekiel Elliott and says the Cowboys “have not taken a step back” this offseason

Prescott has a point. When Elliott is healthy, he is a top running back in the league. The problem is, he hasn’t been that in a while. Hopefully, both the QB and his RB can stay healthy this season and do more damage on offense. But, the RB1 isn’t the only person the Cowboys QB is defending.

Many analysts have given the Cowboys low or failing grades for their offseason moves. Most fans believe the team has lost more talent than it has gained since February. But, Prescott doesn’t buy into that mindset. Even though guys like Dalton Schultz have admitted that they feel the team has lost some key players, the quarterback isn’t showing any fear. Here is what he told The Athletic’s Jon Machota

"“We know what we have in this locker room and we know what we can be. Talent is one thing, but if you don’t fulfill it, it doesn’t really mean anything. So just from the names and stuff like that, we got young players that just haven’t had a chance to make a name for themselves. I’m excited for those guys to be able to do that and for them to prove people wrong. I know what this team has and the men that they have and the coaches and the leadership. We definitely didn’t take a step back. We’re going to continue to get better and that’s what this offseason is about, and that’s what moving forward is.”"

It’s nice to have a glowing review from the team’s leader. Let’s hope that the 28-year-old is right.