Dak Prescott once relied on his legs to move the chains, dating back to his college days at Mississippi State, where he racked up nearly 1,000 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2014 alone. Prescott continued using his mobility early in his NFL career, posting at least 277 rushing yards each season from 2016 to 2019 and scoring 21 touchdowns on the ground. But since suffering a serious ankle injury in 2020, Prescott’s rushing stats have noticeably dipped, with only two rushing touchdowns per season since his return. This year, he’s tallied just 24 yards on the ground.
Many fans and analysts have suggested that Prescott’s return to a more mobile approach could add a needed spark to the Cowboys’ offense. However, team owner Jerry Jones recently defended Prescott’s pocket-focused approach, emphasizing that limiting Prescott’s runs is a way of preserving his health.
“You really don’t want to see him… you don’t want to see him really take off with that ball,” Jones shared on his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan. “These quarterbacks that run, you know they’re going to get injured. And that happens… It’s happened to Dak. To the end that we rely on him to stay healthy, that’s an important part of it. I wouldn’t say it’s up there in red letters in the practice facility ‘don’t run,’ but I would say that we want him to be smart about it. And he is being smart about it,” Jones said.
While Prescott is undoubtedly following team guidance by staying in the pocket, some argue that his reduced mobility isn’t necessarily protecting him. With the current state of the Cowboys’ offensive line, Prescott is often exposed to hits even within the pocket, leading some to suggest that a few strategic runs could help alleviate pressure on the offense and open up passing lanes.
Prescott himself has expressed his focus on being smart and selective with runs, aware of the injury risk associated with running as a quarterback. Yet, as Dallas faces mounting offensive challenges, the pressure builds for Prescott to bring back a more mobile version of his game—one that once made him a dual threat on the field.
Dallas will need all options on the table to remain competitive in a challenging schedule ahead. With Prescott’s talent both as a passer and a runner, finding a safe way to incorporate mobility could be the Cowboys’ next step toward unlocking their offense.
