“You don’t have that anymore.” It’s not often that a bold statement like this comes without context, but when Ryan Clark dropped this gem on Get Up, it left Big D fans splitting up. And here’s why. Dak Prescott might not have signed up to be Superman, but Clark thinks he’s got no choice but to slip on the cape.

In a fiery take on ESPN, the former star safety laid it out straight: Prescott needs to be the MVP—and not just for one game, but for the whole season. Why? Because Dallas ain’t what it used to be last year. The once turnover-happy defense, which gave the three-time Pro Bowl QB endless opportunities to cash in, is no longer creating those chances.

The run-game ain’t the same. And the players? Well, they’re not the same either. “Dak has to be MVP—not just for this game, but for this team to win this season. Dak has to play at the same level he did last year, but more, because you don’t have the same people, and you don’t have the run-game. You don’t have the defense that’s turning the football over at a high rate anymore. That’s what this team was built on—this team would turn the football over, and Dak Prescott turned it into points. You don’t have that anymore,” Clark asserted, without so much of a doubt. 

Clark believes Prescott doesn’t need miracles; he just has to be the player the Cowboys paid $80M for, stepping up as ‘Superman’ when the team’s back’s against the wall. He added, “This whole thought process—you can’t go out there and be Superman. Hey, you don’t gotta be Superman, but you gotta be the dude they paid 80 million dollars to. When he signed, he got 80 mil. Which is why, sometimes when I need you to be Superman, you are capable. So, giving me this ‘team-first’ and ‘we gotta do it all together’ thing? That’s not the answer I want. The answer I do want? Hell yeah, it’s all on my back!”

Meanwhile, Prescott himself? He’s staying all cool under the pressure, refusing to buy into the Superman narrative. “I don’t break the huddle and say, ‘I’ve got to go be Superman here’,” Prescott said, when asked about his role given the team’s slow start (they’ve lost two of their last three games). Instead, Dallas’ QB’s focusing on playing within himself, using his feet more, breaking tackles, and making the throws. Still, there’s no denying the Cowboys are struggling—and struggling pretty bad! Star Micah Parsons is out (high-ankle sprain). And DeMarcus Lawrence? OUT, too (foot injury). 

Prescott ain’t letting pressure get to him. “I don’t think it has as much to do with the franchise [quarterback] or the contract as it is who I am and what I’m capable of doing,” he stated. But his stats—64.4% completions, 1,072 yards, six TDs, and two picks—don’t scream MVP. Big D’s offense’s dropped from first to 11th, averaging just 21.3 points over the last three games. 

So, will Dak Prescott stand up and be the Superman his team needs? Time will tell. But here’s a fun fact that we can tell you: Prescott’s apparently one of the most hated players in the NFL. 

Dak Prescott: Most hated or most needed?

The 31-year-old’s found himself on a unique list—one he sure didn’t expect. Per a WildCasino.ag study, the Cowboys QB’s among the most hated players. Last year, Steelers RB Najee Harris even went so far as to call Prescott “the most hated player in the league today.” But as the saying goes, being hated does mean you’re doing something right. Analyst Phil Simms seems to think so. During an interview with his son, Matt Simms, on the Bleav podcast, Phil praised Prescott, saying, “When you watch the game in person, Dak Prescott stands out. I don’t think he ever gets rattled.” 

That said, many Big D fans aren’t buying it. Some criticize Prescott for “choking” in big moments. This divide was highlighted on social media, with fans focusing on his demeanor during losses, while players argue he’s the “coolest guy” when the team’s down. Sitting at 2-2 after tough losses to the Saints and Ravens, the pressure on Prescott’s building. After a 28-25 loss to Baltimore, Prescott didn’t hold back on critics, telling them, “Jump off if you want,” a clear sign he’s not letting the noise get to him. 

Is he the most hated player in the league? Maybe. But if Dak Prescott can turn things around, the very narrative could shift quickly.