Dak Prescott explains how he could help the Cowboys 'make decisions' this offseason

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was the story of the offseason last year when he signing a four-year, $160 million extension. Now, he believes this is an important offseason of retention with 20 teammates currently set for unrestricted free agency.

During an interview with USA Today’s Jori Epstein, Dak Prescott discussed what role he plays in the Cowboys’ upcoming offseason decisions.

“I think that just depends on whether they ask me,” Prescott told Epstein about his role in the decision-making process. “I’m not going in and knocking on doors saying, ‘Hey, I want this done, I want that done.’ But I’m pretty sure that my opinion will be valued in certain decisions, as I hope. So with that being said, just plan on helping this team get better in every which way I can.”

In addition to free agent decisions on wide receiver Michael Gallup and offensive lineman Zach Martin, among others, the Cowboys have difficult questions surrounding the futures of star offensive weapons Amari Cooper and Ezekiel Elliott.

While Prescott says that he will not ask directly to play a role, his answer seems to indicate he has opinions he hopes are heard. Given the drama of the past several offseasons with Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and others feeling excluded from the franchise’s decision-making process, it seems in the best interest of the franchise to at least set up a meeting.

Cowboys legend critical of Dak Prescott

The Dallas Cowboys fell short in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs last weekend. Dallas lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 23-17. Following the loss, Cowboys legend and Hall of Fame wide receiver Drew Pearson has shared some harsh criticism of quarterback Dak Prescott.

“I was really high on Dak, really high on him when they first drafted him. I was excited about that,” Pearson said of Prescott on The Zach Gelb Show on Monday. “Because of what he did at Mississippi State, brought that winning attitude there, I thought he could bring that here. He says all of the right things, but now is the time to put up. And Jerry Jones’ window isn’t that wide open, at this point. You’ve got to step up.

“I’m just wavering now with Dak. I saw regression as the season went on — that’s a disappointment at $40 million a year. It’s not about the money, it’s about that player playing the position and not improving, declining in a year where we started out so well… We almost had the NFC East won in the first seven weeks. Then we started going downhill. A lot of it was on the offensive side of the ball, and a lot of it was predicated by the play of the quarterback.”

In the loss to the 49ers, Prescott threw for 254 yards with two total touchdowns and one interception. He was also sacked five times.