It’s 2024, and the last time America’s Team hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, ‘Toy Story’ was fresh in theaters and flip phones were still a pipe dream. Now, all eyes are on Dak Prescott, the quarterback tasked with leading Jerry’s Boys back to the glory land. But is he the chosen one, or just another pretender in a ten-gallon hat?

Colin Cowherd, never one to shy away from a hot take, dropped a bombshell on ‘The Herd’ that’s got Cowboys Nation more riled up. “If you look at the numbers,” Cowherd proclaimed, “Basically, he’s Kirk Cousins with a star on his helmet.”

But hold your horses, folks. Before we send Dak to the glue factory, let’s break down this comparison. Cowherd ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie – the numbers back him up like a good ol’ Texas two-step. Prescott and Cousins are statistical twins, with completion percentages hovering around 67% and identical 7.6 yards per attempt. It’s enough to make even the most die-hard Cowboys fan choke on their Lone Star beer.

Now, don’t get it twisted. Prescott ain’t no slouch. In 2023, he lit up the scoreboard, throwing for 4,516 yards and a league-leading 36 touchdowns. He even finished second in MVP voting, closer to the trophy than the Cowboys have been to the NFC Championship in nearly three decades. And when the heat’s on, Prescott’s cooler than the other side of the pillow. His +9.0 CPOE when facing pressure was the highest in the NFL by more than four percentage points, and his 8.4 yards per attempt under pressure led the league.

But here’s where the trail goes cold. Come playoff time, Prescott’s been about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. His 2-5 postseason record sticks out like a sore thumb. It’s a far cry from Patrick Mahomes‘ playoff heroics, which includes more rings than a Dallas debutante.

Cam Newton, the former NFL MVP known for his flashy plays and even flashier outfits, stirred the pot on his ‘4th & 1’ podcast recently. He ranked Prescott ahead of several QB hotshots, saying, “I would prefer Dak Prescott over Kirk Cousins. I prefer Dak over Kyler Murray. I prefer Dak over Jalen Hurts. Justin Herbert? Dak. Trevor Lawrence? I’m taking Dak.” Newton added, “If you’ve got the same stat line as Patrick Mahomes, something is clicking in big games.” And he’s not far off – over their last 50 starts, Prescott (33-17, 105 TDs, 38 INTs) and Mahomes (36-14, 105 TDs, 39 INTs) are statistical twins separated at birth.

The Cowboys find themselves between a rock and a hard place, or as we say in Texas, between the Alamo and a hot place. They’re too good to draft high and snag a top QB prospect, but not quite good enough to bring home the bacon. As Danny Perkins put it in ‘The Herd’, “They have no alternative. They’re too good to draft high to draft a replacement.”

Dak Prescott’s impact on team morale and Dallas’ playoff aspirations

Now, don’t go thinking Prescott’s just a numbers man with a pretty star on his helmet. Despite the criticism, he’s led the Boys to 12 wins in three straight seasons.

Adam Schefter, ESPN’s inside man, sees Prescott’s contract situation as more volatile than a bottle of Texas Pete hot sauce. On the LeBatardShow, Schefter declared in June, “Dak is in a situation where he is the 2024 version plus of Kirk Cousins because he’s got a clause in his contract where he can’t be traded, he can’t be tagged.”

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks Jerry Jones is playing a dangerous game of Texas Hold’em with his star QB. “Now, they seem content to let him finish the contract and hit the market in 2025,” Florio mused in April. “Basically, he’ll be next year’s Kirk Cousins.” It’s a gamble bigger than the oil fields of West Texas, especially considering Prescott could potentially beat Cousins’ recent 4-year, $180 million deal if he hits free agency.

Meanwhile, the Boys’ grip on America’s attention is tighter than a new pair of cowboy boots. They dominated TV ratings in 2023, with 16 of the 100 most-watched broadcasts featuring the Cowboys. It’s clear that whether they’re winning or losing, America can’t take its eyes off the star.

As the 2024 season looms larger than Big Tex at the State Fair, all eyes are on Dak Prescott. Can he silence the critics and lead the Cowboys back to Super Bowl glory? Or will he end up as just another cautionary tale in the Lone Star State’s football lore?