- Dallas Cowboys. Dez Bryant is disturbed by Jerry Jones' decisions, puts Dak Prescott's future in doubt
- Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott will have a new tight end with the Dallas Cowboys who has become a life inspiration
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, ESPN analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark has stirred the pot with a bold prediction: he believes Dak Prescott is more likely to lead the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs than Aaron Rodgers is to do the same for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Appearing on ESPN's First Take, Clark expressed strong faith in Prescott's ability to guide the Cowboys back to postseason contention.
Despite a challenging 2024 season, where Prescott suffered a hamstring injury that required season-ending surgery, Clark remains optimistic. He highlighted the Cowboys' strategic moves in the offseason, including bolstering their running game and making impactful draft selections, as key factors that could propel the team forward.
"We're looking at the Cowboys, who have Dak Prescott, the Cowboys who's bolstered their running game going out in free agency and getting backs," said Clark.
"The Cowboys, who to me, had a high quality NFL draft in 2025. You're talking about a team that I feel more prepared, and more comfortable with saying that they can be successful, saying they can compete within their division, based on one main factor that I believe more in Dak Prescott than I believe in Aaron Rodgers if he does decide to play. And more in Dak Prescott, obviously, than I do in Mason Rudolph."
Dallas Cowboys' offseason moves
In an effort to strengthen their roster, the Cowboys made several significant acquisitions. They added running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to enhance their ground game, which had ranked 27th in the league the previous season.
Additionally, they selected top guard Tyler Booker in the draft to fortify their offensive line. Defensively, the team brought in edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. to bolster their defense.
Stephen A. Smith's contrasting view
While Clark is bullish on the Cowboys' prospects, fellow ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith offers a more cautious perspective. He pointed out the dominance of NFC East rivals, particularly the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, suggesting that the Cowboys face stiff competition within their division.
Smith also expressed confidence in Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin's track record, noting that the Steelers have maintained a winning record for 18 consecutive seasons.
"Last time I checked, the reigning Super Bowl champions are in the NFC East. Last time I checked, their competitors in the NFC Championship Game was in the NFC East. I don't think those teams are going anywhere..." said Smith.
"With the Steelers, I gotta bet on Mike Tomlin. I gotta bet on 18 straight seasons of .500 or better. I gotta bet on the fact that since 2007, only the Patriots and the Packers collectively have had a better record than the Steelers."
At the heart of this discussion is the quarterback position. Clark's endorsement of Prescott over Rodgers is rooted in the belief that Prescott's leadership and performance can drive the Cowboys to success. However, Rodgers' potential move to the Steelers has raised questions about his ability to lead the team, especially considering his recent struggles with the New York Jets, where he played through injuries and faced challenges in securing victories.