Cowboys OTAs: Schottenheimer says he has Prescott in \

USA Today

2 days ago

Cowboys OTAs: Schottenheimer says he has Prescott in "development phase" 10 years in Despite being a veteran starter, Dak Prescott enters 2025 with questions and tweaks under a new regime—and a coach who sees untapped potential.
Brian Schottenheimer knew the spotlight would be glaring in his first year as the Dallas Cowboys' head coach. What he may not have expected? That one of his first major headlines would come from how he described his franchise quarterback.
'I think Dak is in the developmental phase,' Schottenheimer said during a recent media session. 'And that sounds crazy for a guy who's played that much, but there are things we're tweaking with Dak.'
The comment, delivered matter-of-factly, may come as a bit of a surprise. After all, this is a 10th-year veteran being talked about, a three-time Pro Bowler who's led Dallas to four playoff appearances and thrown 213 career touchdowns. But context matters. Prescott is coming off a season-ending hamstring injury suffered late in 2024 and is now operating under a brand-new regime, with Schottenheimer calling the shots for the first time.
Prescott's numbers last year weren't eye-popping like the 2023 season when he finished second in MVP voting. He threw for 1,978 yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions in eight games before the injury sidelined him. But Schottenheimer and the Cowboys' front office didn't just sit idle this offseason; they went to work rebuilding the offense around him.
Enter notable additions such as George Pickens and Tyler Booker.
Pickens, acquired via trade from the Steelers, brings the kind of physicality and explosiveness the Cowboys' receiving corps has been missing. He's expected to be a helping hand to All-Pro CeeDee Lamb, giving Dallas one of the more dangerous receiving duos in the NFC. Booker, a first-round pick out of Alabama, adds youth and strength to an offensive line that struggled with consistency and injuries last season.
Both players represent more than just talent upgrades; they're pillars in what Schottenheimer hopes becomes a tougher, more versatile Cowboys attack.
Still, none of it works if Prescott can't lead it.
That's why Schottenheimer's 'developmental' comment shouldn't be taken as a slight; it's a sign that the Cowboys are putting in the work, from top to bottom. For all of Dak's experience, for all of his leadership, there's still another level he's expected to reach. A level that could define not just his legacy but Schottenheimer's as a first-time NFL head coach.
For now, the clock is ticking. With the NFC East looking as stacked as ever and Dallas coming off a disappointing 7–10 season, there's no time for slow starts or moral victories. The Prescott-Schottenheimer era has officially begun. Now it's about proving the tweaks will pay off.
The Cowboys don't need Dak to reinvent himself in 2025. They just need him to evolve.
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