Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is “embracing” all of the outside noise as he enters a critical eighth season in Dallas.
The 30-year-old quarterback, who has often been scrutinized by pundits, fans and even his own team, told USA Today on Tuesday he’s welcoming the chatter, believing it will fuel his success.
“I never want anything easy, never want somebody to give me the shortcut to it,” Prescott said.
“I’m embracing everything that’s coming my way – negativity, criticism, whatever it may be. I’m getting better.”
Prescott, a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2016, has led the Cowboys to six playoff appearances, but the team has failed to make it past the divisional round, including last season’s 19-12 loss to the 49ers.
And while there’s been plenty of talk about Prescott’s league-leading and career-high 15 intereceptions last year, the quarterback has “never allowed” the opinions of others to “dictate” who he is.
“I believe I have the highest expectations for myself than anyone does. That holds me to a high standard,” said Prescott, who threw for 2,860 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2022.
“Obviously, me coming from a year last year, leading the league in interceptions and not performing the way I wanted … I’ve always been a fighter. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder and had it before.”
With tempers already flaring at Cowboys training camp — cornerback Travon Diggs told Prescott to “shut yo b—h a– up” in a heated exchange Tuesday — the hunger to bring a championship back to Dallas remains the driving force.
“I’ve been through a lot, but going into my eighth year, I haven’t gotten what I want to get out of this league. That’s what pushes me every day when I wake up,” Prescott said.
“At the end of the day, when we win this thing, it’s only going to make it that much sweeter.”
The Cowboys open the season on the road against the Giants on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 8:20 p.m ET.
Dallas finished second in the NFC East with a 12-5 record last season and defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card round before losing to the 49ers.