Dak Prescott’s 2025 campaign might not end up in the MVP trophy case, but it deserves a place in the conversation - and maybe even a little more respect than it’s getting.
Let’s be real: Prescott played some of the best football of his career this season. In his first year under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Dak looked sharp, decisive, and in control for most of the year.
He was right in the thick of the MVP race through the first half of the season, commanding an offense that moved the ball with rhythm and purpose. But as the Cowboys' season unraveled, so did the narrative around their quarterback.
The biggest culprit? A defense that couldn’t hold its own.
Under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Dallas struggled mightily on that side of the ball. And when the defense is giving up points in bunches, the margin for error for any quarterback - even one playing at an elite level - shrinks fast. Add in a few late-season hiccups from Dak himself, and the MVP chatter quickly shifted elsewhere, with Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford grabbing the spotlight.
But let’s not pretend Prescott didn’t earn his place in that conversation.
By the numbers, he was right there with the league’s best: third in passing yards (4,552), fourth in touchdown passes (30), 10th in passer rating (99.5), and fifth in QBR (70.3). Those aren’t just good stats - they’re the kind of numbers that usually come with playoff berths and MVP buzz. The fact that they didn’t this time says more about the Cowboys’ overall struggles than it does about Prescott’s play.
And there are some who aren’t letting that go unnoticed.
ESPN’s Seth Walder, for instance, recently released his top 100 “real MVP” rankings - a deeper dive into player value that goes beyond just wins and losses. While Maye topped the list, Walder slotted Prescott in at No. 2, ahead of even Stafford.
“Prescott has been absent from the MVP conversation, but I strongly believe that is a mistake,” Walder wrote. “Let’s start with the obvious reason he was ignored: wins.
Dallas was 7-9-1. Ultimately, Prescott should not be punished for the Cowboys' decision to trade away Micah Parsons or their general defensive failures.
Regardless of Dallas' place in the standings, the numbers point toward Prescott being the second-most valuable player this season.”
That’s a bold take - and one that holds water.
No, Prescott didn’t do quite enough to take home the league’s top individual honor. But what he did do was carry a flawed roster and keep the Cowboys competitive far longer than they probably had any right to be. His early-season brilliance gave Dallas a fighting chance, and while the team ultimately faded, Prescott’s performance didn’t go unnoticed by those paying attention.
It’s easy to forget great quarterback play when it comes from a team that finishes below .500. But make no mistake: Dak Prescott was one of the best at his position in 2025. He may not have walked away with hardware, but he reminded everyone exactly what he’s capable of - and why he remains one of the most valuable players in the league.
Second place in a season like this? That’s not a consolation prize. That’s a statement.