Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Possesses 'Special Endurance,' Says Coach Mike McCarthy

Dallas coach Mike McCarthy understands the pressure associated with playing for the Cowboys and thinks quarterback Dak Prescott is handling it better than most would.

FRISCO - Playing quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys puts an individual on a bigger stage than most other athletes. It's a high-pressure, high-reward situation that presents opportunities like no other, both during a player's career and after.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy understands that pressure, and thinks current quarterback Dak Prescott facing the pressure and handling it better than most would.

 “I love Dak Prescott as our quarterback,” McCarthy said on Mad Dog Radio. “I think the way he’s built all the way through, obviously his physical skill set is excellent. But what he endures mentally and emotionally compared to the other 31 [NFL starting quarterbacks] is unique. Speaking on experience of being around great quarterbacks [Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, etc.], I’ve never seen a quarterback under a microscope like he is. Just his consistency, his personality and work ethic, and how he handles all that, and navigates all that, and he goes out and performs every week, I think it’s special what he has to endure.”

McCarthy knows a little something about pressure, too, as head coach of the Cowboys. He says the position of quarterback in Dallas presents its own challenges and is a unique situation in the NFL.

“I think the intensity of the microscope on Dak, I’ve never seen anything like it,” McCarthy said. “For him to be as consistent, his attitude is very much the same every day as far as how he attacks the preparation part of it, you have to be unique to deal with that. And this is Year 8 for him, so he’s been dealing with this a long time here. The intensity is nothing like I’ve ever seen.”

The job comes with a ton of pressure and scrutiny, but it also comes with high rewards in the form of high-dollar contracts and post-playing career opportunities. Former Cowboys signal callers Troy Aikman and Tomy Romo have had successful broadcast careers that might not have been available had they played quarterback in Arizona, Chicago, Tennessee, or anywhere else. 

If Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones feels the same as McCarthy about Prescott and his ability to handle the pressure, that could mean another big payday for Dak in 2024. 

Dak Prescott / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports