One of Dak Prescott’s valuable weapons in his quarterback arsenal when he began his career with the Dallas Cowboys was his ability to make plays with his legs.
Whether it was turning into a runner to pick up first downs or scrambling to extend plays, Prescott was the definition of a dual-threat quarterback, racking up at least 280 rushing yards and six touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons.
But over the last five years, that’s disappeared from his game, with fans screaming out for Prescott to get on the move more, which he did against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 last year, and then he tore his hamstring off the bone. Go figure.
However, just because Dak suffered a season-ending injury while trying to be something many believe he isn’t, it won’t stop him from doing what he says is when he’s playing his best.
“Me playing my best, I’m mobile,” Dak said. “Whether it’s actually running past the line of scrimmage or it’s just scrambling, making plays happen with my arm, so that’s vital for me. That’s a big part of this. Staying on that trend of getting better, staying mobile, but doing it while feeling healthy.”
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Our own Mike Fisher has stated that Dak isn’t the runner is once was, and there is merit to that. In the last four seasons, Prescott hasn’t had more than two rushing touchdowns in a season, and in four of the last five years, he hasn’t had more than 182 rushing yards (under 15 rush yards per game all four years).
But it is clear that Prescott is confident in his ability to still be “mobile” but it is important to know the difference between being a runner and being mobile.
Quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Josh Allen are runners when out in space and have plays designed specifically for their running ability, but others like Dak, Baker Mayfield, and Joe Burrow are more mobile and pick up yards scrambling when they need to.
And it appears that despite his hamstring injury, Prescott has no intentions of becoming a statue in the pocket.
We just hope his hamstrings allow him to “be at his best” as a mobile quarterback.
