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Dak Prescott replaced four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo in the Dallas Cowboys’ 2016 roster. Has the decision proven to be beneficial? Romo was frequently chastised for failing to lead the Cowboys organization to its 1990s heyday. In the meantime, Prescott has yet to win a Super Bowl in his time in Dallas, so let’s compare their tenures there thus far. Associated content
Prescott’s career started off on a blazing trajectory. He won Rookie of the Year in his rookie season, finished sixth in MVP voting, and was a Pro Bowler. He’s made the Pro Bowl twice in the seven seasons since then.
Last year, Prescott had arguably the best season of his career from a statistical standpoint. He was named a second-team All-Pro for the first time in his career after throwing for over 4,500 yards, 36 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, posting a 105.9 passer rating in the regular season and finishing No. 2 in MVP voting, yet America’s quarterback still faces criticism. On the other hand, Romo never finished in the top two in MVP voting and, as an individual performer, has arguably been outshined by Prescott when comparing each of their first eight seasons since starting. According to each of the Cowboys per 17-game stats, Prescott would have averaged a 30-touchdown to 11 interception ratio, 4,393 passing yards per season, a completion percentage of 67, and a passer rating of 99.
As for Romo, he would have averaged a 31-touchdown to-15-interception ratio, 4,409 passing yards per season, a completion percentage of 64.6, and a passer rating of 95.8. What matters most when comparing the Dallas signal callers is the team’s success, though. Romo’s record was 63-45, while Prescott’s era in Dallas has gone 73-41, making the playoffs five times, while Romo only went three times in his first eight seasons.
Overall, this research shows just how well Prescott has performed despite some harsh outside narratives suggesting that he isn’t worth re-signing to an extension.
Though he hasn’t made it to a Super Bowl in his career, Dak has been an excellent Cowboy, and it’s difficult to imagine another player who could realistically improve Dallas more than the current MVP runner-up, who has already outgrown the shoes of America’s previous quarterback, Tony Romo.
