Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He regularly puts up elite numbers season after season, and is among the top ranking quarterbacks every season.
While he has not won anything significant yet with the Cowboys, his reputation is immense. Ahead of the 2026 NFL season, he is expected to play an important role in it, with much speculation already buzzing on his role.
Dak Prescott emerges in early 2026 NFL MVP conversation
Prescott is already positioned among the top MVP candidates for the 2026 season, three months before the NFL schedule begins. ESPN recently published a 100-day primer for the 2026 campaign. In the article, analyst Seth Walder ranked Prescott sixth on his list of potential MVP winners.
He placed Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Drake Maye, and Justin Herbert from 1st to 5th ahead of the Cowboys quarterback.
Feb 1, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during NFC practice at the Flag Fieldhouse Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Walder wrote, “Prescott’s incredible 2025 campaign was overlooked due to his team’s lackluster defense, but I felt he was actually the second-most valuable player in the league last season (and ahead of Matthew Stafford). If he plays the same way, and the Cowboys’ defense can be even just mediocre, Prescott will be an MVP candidate.”
Prescott had an excellent 2025 season individually, though the Cowboys did not. He played in all 17 regular season games and had 4,552 yards (3rd in the NFL), 30 touchdowns (tied for 4th in the league), and 10 interceptions. Due to the Cowboys’ weak defense, they suffered in games and he could not be in the MVP conversation.
The buzz around Prescott is also reflected in early betting odds reflect this buzz. The Cowboys star is opening around +1200 to +1300, making him one of the top seven favorites. The franchise has made some defensive upgrades in the offseason and are expected to put up a better challenge this season, giving him a better chance of being the MVP.
ESPN analyst predictsDak Prescott for new record
ESPN betting analyst Pamela Maldonado has selected Prescott as her pick to be the next player to throw for 400-plus passing yards in a single game. She has placed him at +1000 odds. It was included in ESPN’s “100 days to the 2026 NFL season” feature published on June 1.
Maldonado also predicted that it could happen during the Cowboys’ Week 2 home matchup against the Washington Commanders. She highlighted high offensive volume, an aggressive scheme, favorable game script, and Washington’s weak pass defense from the previous season as possible factors.
She also noted that the Commanders ranked near the bottom of the league in coverage grade and touchdowns allowed through the air, which make Prescott a dangerous opponent for them.
Dak Prescott will have to prepare for the 2026 NFL season, as expectations are high on him to deliver.
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