Dak Prescott makes guarantee about 2023 interception numbers

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott found himself clarifying a viral misquote on Thursday at training camp. At his youth camp this month, Prescott was quoted saying, “I won’t have 10 interceptions this year,” when what he really said was that he wouldn’t have those “tipped interceptions.” Despite the miscommunication, the Cowboys signal-caller made it clear he still definitely intends to clean up his game.

“I am going to lessen my interception numbers,” Prescott said. “That is a guarantee.”

Even though he missed five games due to injury, Prescott still posted 15 interceptions during the regular season last year. It was a main focus for him during the offseason, and yet two picks he’s thrown so far during camp made the rounds online anyway.

“We’re trying to gain chemistry here, and we’re trying to be aggressive,” Prescott said. “That is who our coach is, and that’s who I am. That’s the confidence I’ve gained in myself, and I’ve worked so hard to be able to have this confidence and make the throws that I’m making. That’s just two, right? If it continues then, yeah, come back to me and it might change my mood a little bit.”

One interception Prescott threw was a mishandled ball by Simi Fehoko. Fehoko couldn’t haul the pass in and rookie Eric Scott Jr. came away with it. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy commented on that particular play but chalked it up to normal camp mistakes.

“I didn’t really enjoy that, I’m struggling with that,” McCarthy said. “Eric really had a nice spring in the rookie work. Big plays are such a big part of this game, you have to have them. He had a nice play. Simi will learn from it too. You need these plays. You can see the competitive spirit all day. Love the competition. It’s really good for our rooks to see the competitive environment that we have.”

Jerry Jones to Dak: ‘Don’t turn the ball over’

According to Jerry Jones, the Cowboys would be shocked if the former Mississippi State star came close to 15 picks in 2023.

“What I expect is not the unexpected. What last year represented relative to turnovers was unexpected,” Jones said, via Jon Machota. “I expect to see what we expect from Dak, which is don’t turn the ball over, be protective of the ball.

“When I think of Dak, that’s the first thing that comes to my mind. That’s what he does good.”

Prescott’s receivers’ lack of separation last season often had the QB throwing in windows that proved much too tight. That’s one area Dallas is hoping to improve in 2023. By acquiring Brandin Cooks in a trade from the Texans, the Cowboys are already making headway there.