Dak Prescott gives simple response to double-digit mistakes ahead of NFL season
Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott has played down the mistakes which saw him lead the NFL in interceptions in 2022.
Prescott endured a difficult campaign as he threw a career-high 15 interceptions to lead the unwanted statistics in the NFL. The spotlight was intensified given he is the quarterback of America’s Team, but he floundered in the playoffs too as he tossed two picks in the Divisional Round defeat by the San Francisco 49ers.
Prescott played down his high interception total in 2022 as he prepares for the new season. He suggested the total was inflated due to other factors, and is not too concerned about giving away possession despite the alarming numbers.
“I know who I am,” Prescott said at his youth football camp earlier in July, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “And you can go back and take away half of those off drops. I’m not saying it’s on the receiver, but if you cut that in half then we start talking about those, nobody is talking about it.”
Prescott is somewhat correct; four of his interceptions in the regular season can be attributed to drops given they deflected off Cowbous receivers. However, the 29-year-old was targeted by opposing defences that ultimately capitalised on his turnover-worthy plays.
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Prescott tied for 13th in the NFL with 18 such plays in the regular season, alongside two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes and former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Mahomes and Rodgers both threw 12 picks, while Prescott led the league in the category despite playing just 12 games.
Meanwhile, Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith led the NFL in turnover worthy plays and yet committed less interceptions. Prescott has no plans to put up a repeat performance in 2023, citing increased communication with head coach Mike McCarthy, who is calling plays after offensive coordinator Kellen Moore joined the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Some of it is the offense and them understanding exactly where we are,” Prescott said. “Mike does an amazing job with those guys. They know where to be, why to be, when they're getting looked at. That's going to be a big jump. I won't have 10 interceptions this year.”
Dak Prescott is under pressure to deliver the Dallas Cowboys a first Super Bowl win since 1995 (Getty Images)Prescott will hope his exciting offensive weapons will help his numbers in the upcoming season. CeeDee Lamb is the star receiver, but a trade for former Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks means the speedster could be a key weapon alongside Michael Gallup, who is a full season removed from his ACL tear back in 2021.
Ultimately, Prescott needs to focus on ball security. He has thrown double-digit interceptions in four of the six years where he has played at least 10 games. Prescott also understands the weight of playing with the Cowboys star emblazoned on his helmet, adding: “We are a talking point. As you find something to talk about, that’s the first thing to go to.”
Prescott has been with the Cowboys since the franchise selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. His contract only runs for the next two seasons, but owner Jerry Jones has said the team is open to an extension in order to lower the current cap hit.
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