Dak Prescott owns Cowboys' playoff pain at the start of 2025 training camp. See how his new contract & duo of Lamb & Pickens fuel a 2024 season title run.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The California sun beat down on Oxnard, but the real heat was centered on one man. As the Dallas Cowboys officially opened their 2025 training camp, quarterback Dak Prescott stepped to the podium not with excuses, but with a heavy dose of accountability. Fresh off signing a contract that made him the highest-paid player in the league, Prescott owned the team's recent playoff flameouts, setting a clear, no-nonsense tone for a season that feels like Super Bowl or bust.
Nobody is more upset; nobody is more disappointed about it than I am. Nobody wants to win more than I do.
It was the quote every Cowboys fan needed to hear. 'Nobody is more upset; nobody is more disappointed about it than I am,' Prescott declared, addressing the playoff disappointments that have haunted the franchise. He didn't deflect or downplay the pressure of his new extension, which runs through 2028. Instead, he embraced it, vowing to elevate his game and, by extension, the entire offense. The front office has armed him with another weapon in former Steeler George Pickens, who joins superstar CeeDee Lamb to form a potentially lethal receiving trio. For Dak, the message is clear: the tools are in place, and now it's time to deliver on the biggest stage.
The sentiment from the quarterback was echoed loudly by the men who sign the checks. In their annual 'State of the Team' address, Owner Jerry Jones, EVP Stephen Jones, and Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer presented a united front of optimism and expectation. Jerry Jones was pointed in his support for Prescott, stating that the contract reflects the team's belief but also comes with the demand that Dak take the next step as a leader. The management team expressed excitement about their offseason moves and believes this roster has the talent to erase the memory of last season's early exit and finally make a deep postseason run.
While optimism was the word of the day, reality hit the roster report almost immediately. The Cowboys placed linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and several cornerbacks on the injury list to begin camp. While these moves are often precautionary, they immediately put a spotlight on the team's depth, particularly in the secondary. After a season where injuries played a significant role, seeing key players sidelined from the jump is a concern. The team will be counting on young players to step up in early drills, and fans will be anxiously awaiting updates on the health of a defense that needs to be at full strength for a tough schedule.
Day one of training camp is in the books, and the narrative is set. This is Dak Prescott's team, for better or for worse. The accountability has been taken, the expectations have been set by ownership, and the early challenges are already present. Now, the work begins. With a preseason opener on the horizon and a brutal season opener on the road against the rival Eagles, the time for talk is officially over. For the 2025 Dallas Cowboys, it's all about action.
