Dak Prescott: Excited Where We Are | Dallas Cowboys 2025

Dak Prescott: Excited Where We Are | Dallas Cowboys 2025

Thank you. We’re halfway through, huh? It’s flying by. Um but but we’re making progress. definitely um in the doing the doing the right thing and in in track to what we said we wanted to do. U be proud of the team that we’ve created when we leave this place. So um halfway there very confident in in and the steps that we’ve taken, but obviously not close to the finished product. Um offense is is is showing flashes obviously of what we can be. You seeing the playmakers out there make plays. Um having to move guys around with guys injured up front. Guys are coming in stepping up, taking advantage of opportunities. Um, so yeah, very very excited about where we where we are and what we’re going to continue to do. We just have to continue to approach each day like we’ve like we have and not have days like yesterday obviously where where we missed some reps and plays and um control the discipline. Something that’s that’s needed to be worked on anyways. And so um we’re definitely headed in the in the right direction uh to be proud of what we put together when we leave Oxnard. about the running back room because last couple since you’ve been quarterback you’ve always had a guy whether it be Zeke or Pard or Rico and this time we’re not sure who might be the star. Yeah, I think that is is fun honestly and I think each one of those guys would would probably say the same and they appreciate the competition and at the end of the day you know it’s not going to be one guy regardless if even if you say hey this guy’s the starter now. I mean that doesn’t say detail out he’s going to take this many reps or this or that throughout the season. So, um I I think it’s probably uh I don’t want to say better for them cuz you know it’s tough to say that individually when you’re a competitor you want to be the guy, right? But understanding that they’re all going to get reps and and uh we’ve just got to figure out who who it is that may take more than the other. But more than that, who who’s doing what best? And you know, whether it be this type of run, that type of run, or the pass game, um being able to throw turp in the mix. Uh I think it’s awesome just to have a versatile group like that. And uh not knowing necessarily which one’s going to be. And who knows, that could be week to week, too. Clarence Hill, DLLS Cowboys. Um how do you feel? It’s I saw you fake you dropped the hammer and went to the end zone and told CD to run with you. What you kind I was racing him. Yeah, I know. Yeah, I mean I had a head start, but yeah, um I feel great. I feel great. And honestly, what that is is just trying to make sure that I do push my limits um in practice, you know, like not being hit there. I’m not necessarily running away from people as fast as I can. So, I’ve got to make sure that I do get some of those reps. And that was a good moment right there just down the field. Hey, CD, you know, like let’s race with a head start. And so, I knew I had to get it. And um that’s just going to make sure and prepare me for the games. you know, it can’t be the first time that that I’m running for my life, I guess you can say, when I get out there on Thursday against Philly. So, um, I feel great and it’s just continuing to try to build on that and you’ll see flashes of that throughout the week. And that’s me just, you know, pushing myself and preparing myself for game-like moments perhaps. Um, perhaps. Yeah. I mean, I I wouldn’t say that I didn’t do camp the right way, but I know I went into the season and, you know, those first few games didn’t run at all. And then I got into that game and was very vocal that you know I’m going to use my legs and this and that and more times than not ran in that game and you know ended up with a hammy issue after that potentially. Um but more importantly it’s about where I am now and the growth and um just trying to to get better and and not have anything like that come up again. So just trying to prepare on for for everything. You had your best day today throwing the ball to CD and pick. You know I don’t know if you felt that way but it seemed like those playmakers were picking with you. Yeah, there were some great plays out there. Um, I’ve told you over and over, y’all know it, I’m as hard as myself, I feel like, as anybody. So, it was a good day, not a great day. There was misses out there as well. Um, want the one right there, the back of the end zone, the CD, where I guess, you know, he potentially was out of bounds, a throw that we’ve got to make. Um, maybe in in real field where the back of the end zone’s bigger, I can tell. Um, but definitely throws that um that felt good, but I mean I want to leave practice perfect and and that’s hard to do and that’s that’s always going to be my standard. But I think it was a huge day for those guys, especially George. Uh it wasn’t just one play, it was each series there was a play in the series that um he was making different catches, big time catches showing up and then obviously CD was CD. So um it wasn’t just about me today, it was about those guys and and really the whole offense. Dod has been you mentioned uh George today the touchdown seemed to be three different kind of plays a goal ball little hole there the last one that you got him on the back shoulder then showing his speed and how versatile have you learned that he is as a receiver yeah honestly more versatile than than I would say that I thought before we got him you know um and then now having him as I’ve continued to say over and over it’s a guy that loves the game of football so everything that you give him and the more you give him he’s going to answer that bell and and he wants the more he wants as much as he can. Uh so I I don’t want to say I’m surprised, but he does have every tool in the bag and and it’s fun to be able to get out there and as you we just said in different periods, different throws, different kind of routes, um different coverages for him to make plays just show he’s a big time guy and and to have another guy like that alongside CD is just going to be fun. And then you’ve been used to seeing offensive linemen go in and out. You’ve got guys in and out here now. What are your thoughts on St. Thomas if he has to step in for Gayton? and out, you know. Yeah, pumped for him. Pumped for him. Pumped for his opportunity. Nate’s somebody that uh obviously we got last year and then uh you know with some injuries kind of I guess you would say take the red shirt route having to get himself back and healthy and then um was fortunate to train with Nate this off seasonason and spent some some times and some sessions with Brett Brown on those bands and um understanding the talent, the athleticism that I saw. Then I started telling Nate like Nate you can play like like you can play. you’ve got the tools, you’ve got the tangibles, like this game’s about confidence. And so I was trying to pour it into him then, not knowing that he’d have an opportunity a week and a half into camp to start running with the ones and showcasing his ability. But um super proud of him, super proud of what he’s done and and approach and and I mean, it goes back into the spring of of us training and rehabbing and uh some of the days that were tougher and watching him push through it and and give his best to to now watching him walk out there confident and make plays. Um I’m super proud of him, man. He’s Louisiana kid, so I’m always going to push for him. John with athletic. I was going to ask you about Jonathan Mango. What you thought of him so far? Did you know that he had an arm that strong? No, I did not know his arm was that strong. I don’t know if he realized how far he threw that ball. Um, and physical. That that’s one thing that that jumps out to me is is physical and wants the ball and and is going to win in one-on-one coverage. And um, saw it right there on that one-on-one play. um missed him yesterday or two days ago, whatever it was, was on a go ball. Um but but he gets open and and he he can make plays. He’s a guy that knows the offense. You can move him around if he needs to. Um super super proud of where he’s at. Uh obviously when we brought him in last year, right, I was hurting, so didn’t even get much of a a chemistry to work with him, but a guy that showed up every time in the offseason that I asked to throw, uh that I feel great and very very comfortable with where he is now. I think you’re going to see another a guy make get more opportunities and take advantage of of each opportunity that he gets as we move forward in this thing. Uh and then during practice yesterday at the end of it frustrated with the fighting had you guys you know run off the sideline. Is that the first time he’s had you guys do something like that and were you surprised that he had you guys? Yeah, it was definitely the first time. Um I wanted those plays. Uh I can’t say I’m surprised. I think um in a sense it needed to be done and that’s what he felt and and that’s the head coach and I’d be damned if I question you know that moment and his leadership ability in that time and you know he’s preached to us about being competitive and not combative and and playing on the edge and not going over the edge and I think just a time or two yesterday we we crossed it and um it’s hard for me to see why and how on any on any of those so I can’t question you know his decision in that moment um got to get on the line and run and uh I think it was important for us to understand like like how much we needed need those plays. And so as a professional and as an adult that that hurt all that hurt the players, right? And so that’s where we just got to understand that and know that we want we want to practice and so we’ve got to be disciplined and OSA did a great job breaking the team down after that. You know, just kind of alluding to to the lack of discipline that that we were showing and to win and to win at at a high level and to win late in the season, you got to have discipline. So, it was a great challenge by OSA um a leader of this team and I think guys answered and even today when you know it got a little chippy because we’re going to play at the edge uh it didn’t cross it and so um I I think the reason why is you know yesterday him making that statement and OSA stepping up and guys being professionals so it was needed for telegram I know winning is the ultimate thing for you 2747 yards and 36 touchdowns away from setting franchise records in both those categories are you aware that and how helpful would it be to accomplish that season? Um, yeah, I guess I’m aware of it. I don’t didn’t know if the touchdowns necessarily. I knew the yards were coming upon. Um, I don’t want to stop there. So, uh, it would be awesome. It’s going to be cool, I should say. U, but that that’s not the end goal. I plan to have many more seasons touchdowns, yards. So, um, part of it, you know, is the the game in a sense. Throwing it throwing it as much as, uh, I don’t want to say throwing it more, but but, um, throwing it. I’ve had a career started from day one, you know, here. Um, so something that that I felt like I should be doing and, uh, would just be something that’s cool to have, but not anything that weighs on me or or that I’ll carry and be, you know, job done, job well done on. was talking yesterday about his ability to get open in his offense with Pickkins also on the field. Now that you guys are really starting to stack reps, what have you seen in that category? Yeah, he’s right. I mean, you it’s going to be hard for defenses, you know what I mean, to double cover CD when you got a guy like George and uh he’s making the plays that he’s making and he’s going to continue to do that. And um yeah, then especially when we attack back with Ferg and uh put put the whole offense together that that’s a guy who CD, as we’ve just talked about, matured and understand the game more and as as someone asked last time, right, who understands when he needs to be open. Um all of that is is going to play a huge part and it’s very very hard to cover that guy. I mean, I would say probably the hardest to cover in the league when you when you add the scheme to it and and then not only that, his ability, what he can do after the ball. Uh super super talented guy and and he’s right and George helps him and the rest of the offense helps him. So, it’s about us just continuing to make plays when the ball doesn’t go to CD that therefore uh some pressure can get off of him and he can do do his thing when it comes his way. Tommy, stcowboys.com. CD was saying yesterday that it kind of takes about two weeks to really get your body fully into, you know, to get ready to go in terms of, you know, the physicality aspects of things. Do you feel like that’s accurate? Do you think maybe it takes a little bit longer just in terms of how long it takes to be game ready for lack of No, I think that’s probably dead on. Uh, week and a half, two weeks in. Um, I’m feeling great right now and and I would say the last couple of days or practices out here, I felt that. into what CD is saying. It’s like you feel like you could go play a game. And for me, it’s it’s the mindset of the ball feels good in the hand and you know, you’re comfortable and like you can’t miss. And sure, you can throw all offseason long, but you don’t have guys, you know, uh running on the back of your receivers. You’re not, you know what I’m saying, always having a window to throw into and anticipate. And so, it does take some time of seeing that for, you know, the quarterback and and um getting those throws and getting those reps. And that’s the same as, you know, those guys being physical and, you know, um, withstanding some of the hits, withstanding the tackles and the pads and playing through the contact at the line or at the end of the catch. And so, I think, yeah, now is where you start really seeing game like reps and game like practices happen day in and day out and guys are going to really start, you know, separating themselves and showing why they are who they are and other guys showing why they can, you know, get more opportunities and make plays uh, here within this next week. Dan Greenspan, Associate Press. Uh, with Nate getting the run with the ones right now, is there anything you do or can do as a quarterback to help accelerate his development? Yeah, I mean, for one, just make sure that he understands some of the calls. I know yesterday, um, you know, we had a call, I would say, as an advanced call that, you know, u maybe he he hadn’t heard or heard that much. So for me it’s about just communicating things like that um that that we’re doing whether it’s at the line or calls that may that I may make that may mean something that may not mean something and and when they’re coming that therefore uh he understands exactly what they mean and he can play with confidence and he’s not overthinking you know something that I said that’s going to slow him down on his assignment. So, um, yeah, that that’s important for me to do with any of those guys who are coming in getting an opportunity in the first reps cuz I can kind of get in that groove like a game and say things that, you know, we don’t necessarily always say. Um, so it’s just about making sure that they’re confident in all the calls. Scrugs, NBC5, going back to Mingo, um, can you talk specifically in terms of what you think you can do with him in the red zone and have you had a guy that big before out there? Uh yeah, I don’t know if I’ve had a guy necessarily that big. Um Amari was a bigger guy, but I don’t think as as big as Mingo is. And um and is Yeah, it does. Yeah, I had a guy that big. You’re right. That was a dominating in the red zone. Um yeah, and so I mean there’s actually a rep yesterday where, you know, we ran a a certain route with him and um wasn’t necessarily that successful. um it wasn’t a bad play, it wasn’t a bad rep, but uh you know, came back and I asked him, you know, would you rather this or would you rather that, you know, instead of that? And so I think it’s about just communicating what he feels comfortable in, whether it be the red zone or whether it’s out in the field because the guy is strong, the guy can make plays. He’s physical and and when you have the guys and and the versatility that we do right now, you want to make sure that you’re putting each guy in his best position and and what he’s most comfortable doing. And so right now it’s about communicating um and getting more just reps at it. And if he says, you know, I’d rather the slant or I’d rather the fade, whatever it may be, uh get reps at it that you that you can just continue to build his confidence and build that repertoire between the both of us. You speak to your comfort level with Cooper BB now in year two. Yeah. So so much. I mean, I think that’s just credit to him and his confidence. Uh you’re you’re going to be comfortable when your center’s going up there making the calls. uh when you’re able to change things, you know, get from one look to another look or change the protections or change the play and he’s on it without, you know, missing a beat and and even having reminders that, you know, help me out when I get in the mix of adding the receivers into into it. Um yeah, it’s it starts with his confidence and that’s what you would expect from a guy from year 1 to year two and especially a guy like BB who approaches the game um s so business-like and and uh takes a lot of pride in his job. Um, yeah, it’s all credit to him and just his growth and development and trust me, he’s going to only going to continue to get better, but I’m as comfortable as I can be with him. Mike Fox, there’s a report that Lyall Collins will get a workout with the Cowboys. How would you feel about having him back in the Yeah, I just uh saw him back there actually and it it was a very joyous u reunion. Uh I mean LC is a guy that I love. Y’all know that. He’s a friend well beyond the field. Me and LC just went fishing this off seasonason, seeing them time and time again, whether it be different guys retirement parties. And honestly, when I was in those time of those retirement parties or those announcements, I mean, I I was saying to myself and honestly grabbing Britain, people around here that know him and saying, “Man, I feel like he’s looks as good as he’s ever looked and is in better shape than, you know, I’ve ever seen him.” And so, um, just to see him again and and just see the excitement and, you know, I was holding MJ at the time and he’s telling her, you know, I’m I’m going protect your daddy. And so, uh, nobody’s going to get him. You know, I want to hear that and I’m sure she does, too. So, I’m just super excited for him to get his opportunity. Um, understanding how much he loves the game and how much joy he can bring to the locker room. Um, it wouldn’t only be a benefit to obviously me and my comfort level with him, but the the other guys in the room as well and the young guys and just a mentality and an attitude that that he plays with and practices with. Um, I mean, the guy spent time growing up in this league with Tyron Smith, Zach Martin, and Travis Frederick that he knows how it’s supposed to look and he knows um how to do things the right way and so um hopefully he kills this workout. Sydney, hey D. Sydney Staples, DG10 Sports. I want to take you back to that relationship with Cooper B. How would you describe it both on and off the field? Yeah. Um, Coup’s a guy um that that that obviously I feel comfortable with and super confident in, but um growing obviously into one of those, you know, Lyel relationships and a guy that you’re going to that that’s going to be way more than just a teammate. And um you know, we we got to golf this off seasonason together and um may try to get out there here in a couple of days with him as well. Uh he’s uh he’s a fun guy. He’s got a great personality. Um and and loves to compete whether it be golf, whether it be obviously the game of football. And so those are the people that um you know I pulled or you know what do you call it? Yeah. Get drawn to and uh he he he’s loves the game of football. And so that that’s important to me. And so you can be out there golfing and you’re still talking about plays or looks that you may have seen. And um I think that’s just only going to help our communication even more um as we get onto the field. And so super proud of him and he’s he’s getting better. He’s taking control of that offensive line. As I said, he’s making the calls. I’m he’s taking stuff off of my plate and uh that helps. So I’m super proud of him. I asked him, you know, what he’s learned from a vet like you and it’s been plenty. But then I asked him also, have you been able to learn anything from him? Did he think he’s taught you anything? He kind of laughed and said maybe probably not so much, but has he in your opinion? Have you learned something from him? Um yeah, I mean that there there’s different things I guess you can say in in the sense of the communication and you know whether you’re learning things to uh help yourself out or you’re learning ways to handle or deal with you know new people or other people. Uh I definitely have and you know one of them just when you talk about his confidence and communication and understanding like the more that I can echo or pour into him uh that that he’s right and you know don’t hesitate that like how quick that can build him up that you know that helps with other positions that helps with other people and um he’s a hell of a guy and a hell of a talent. Um so so he he he’s going not wor you’re not worried about what he’s going to do on the football field. you’re just trying to make sure that his confidence and who he is is is at an as as balanced as he wants it to be so he can get on that football field and do his job uh at the high level that he’s been doing and so um yeah and then maybe hitting the golf ball from about 200 about what was about 200 and he’s pretty solid at it been high every time for DallasCowboys.com um early in camp and over the first half of camp the defense had its great days with the takeaways feels like the offense is starting to turn the corner How much of that do you attribute to you guys settling into Shanheimer’s scheme versus the camaraderie building the offseason throwing sessions going fishing with the guys and things like that? I think it’s a little bit of everything. Um, one obviously it’s settling into the offense and and then two it’s got just being on the same page. Um, as you get into, you know, little nuances and different ways an offensive play can be ran and attacked. Um, it’s it’s about communicating. you know, threw the pick yesterday, uh, throwing it to CD and I was just one that like pure communication, right? Pure communication. If CD looks, that’s a catch on on his part, but there’s a valid reason why he didn’t look, right? And so, um, just talking that out and discussing like, hey, you’re CD and you’re in that position, it’s a void. Like, I know that’s not where 90% of that ball gets thrown, but I’m going to throw that ball to you, right? And so, um, George had one today on like a a slant, you know, or glance. And, you know, it was just his tempo of getting into there that like that that could not be a great play if he doesn’t tempo that in there, right? And I’d have to get off of that. That all that just comes with the camaraderie. The the better the camaraderie is, the easier those conversations are to talk and to correct people on. And, um, the the more that we get these reps in the offense, the more we’re going to feel, you know, jailed into each other and just getting out there and playing fast and not thinking. And so that I think that was what today was some examples of that. Last one. Todd, uh we’re not going to talk to you before you practice against the Rams. How important is that practice for you knowing you probably won’t play in the preseason? I guess. Yeah, very important. Um as as important as pretty much any of these practices are, especially, you know, you’re putting in these installs, getting new looks. This is a new defense for me, you know, than I faced them, I guess, last year, right? In the year before. So, uh, all of it is, but it’s definitely, um, important when, you know, you’re playing a team that you could play later in the year and, um, just wanting to go out there and put a good product on on tape. And at the end of the day, it’s going to be about making sure I lead the guys and make sure they know how important it is for all of us. and not necessarily just me or or or the guys who aren’t playing in the preseason, but how important it is for us to get gamelike reps against another team that we’re going to need to use some of these plays and conversations and things that are going to come up in this practice to to uh to to do us well and for our benefit. And whether they’re good or bad, I think if anything, the communication and the films after uh this practice are what’s going to be monumental. So, super excited about it. Um got to do it last year and I thought it was it was huge. So, I’m looking forward to it again. Thank you guys. [Music]

QB Dak Prescott speaks with the media after practice to discuss chemistry so far on the offense, the opportunity for LT Nate Thomas, how teams will need to account for their skill players, and more.

#DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #NFL

Subscribe to the Dallas Cowboys YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/2L07gMO
For more Cowboys content: https://www.dallascowboys.com/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallascowboys/
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dallascowboys?lang=en
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dallascowboys
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DallasCowboys/
Get the App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dallas-cowboys/id548528027