Dak Prescott is receiving early NFL MVP support after a strong 2025 season, with ESPN analysts believing the Dallas Cowboys quarterback is positioned for an even bigger year in his 11th season. Improved roster balance and continuity on offense have fueled optimism ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Speaking on First Take, Kevin Clark argued Prescott's performance deserved more recognition. “Look at his numbers last year, offensively, no issue driving the ball down the field,” Clark said. “Probably the best play-action passer in all of football for long stretches of last season.”
Clark pointed to Prescott's chemistry with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. “When he threw to his top targets, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb down the field, it was about 15 yards per play when he's in play action,” he said. “Those are video game-type numbers.”
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Clark also defended Prescott's reputation. “Dak Prescott might be one of the most underappreciated players in football,” he said, referencing former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. Clark added, “I'll go further. I think he's the most underappreciated because he's become a punchline.”
Harry Douglas believes Dallas has created the ideal environment for Prescott to enter the MVP race. “I expect Dak Prescott to be in the MVP conversation with an opportunity to win it because they're so lethal offensively,” Douglas said.
Douglas praised Brian Schottenheimer's system and the talent surrounding Prescott. “When you have a 1A and a 1B at the wide receiver position, when you have CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, it allows you, if you're Dak Prescott, to be able to go against two-high and run the football,” he said.
Prescott threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2025 while posting a 99.5 passer rating. Dallas finished just 7-9-1 despite ranking seventh in scoring because its defense allowed an NFL-worst 30.1 points per game.
Douglas believes that defensive improvement could change everything. “I have the Dallas Cowboys in 2026 being Super Bowl contenders,” he said. “For Dak Prescott, you better cash in right now while you have this opportunity.”
If Dallas fields an average defense, Prescott's numbers and team success could place him firmly among the NFL's MVP favorites.
