The lead-up to the 2023 NFL preseason has witnessed a distinct choice made by a handful of starting quarterbacks, and among them is Dak Prescott. Unlike his peers, Prescott has opted to forgo participating in any preseason snaps, a decision he framed positively, indicating that it has facilitated an early focus on the pivotal Week 1 clash. Scheduled for September 10th, the Dallas Cowboys are poised to open their season against the New York Giants.
Prescott elucidated the strategic advantage of his situation, stating, “Knowing that I wouldn’t be involved in preseason activities enabled me to pivot my attention to studying their previous games, our historical encounters,” as relayed through Nick Harris of the team’s official website. Prescott highlighted the importance of preparation for the season opener, emphasizing the need to commence on a strong note.
While marquee quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Aaron Rodgers have either played or are slated to play in the preseason, it’s plausible that they, too, are directing their gaze toward their upcoming season openers. However, Prescott finds himself in a unique and advantageous position compared to the preceding years leading to the opening match.
Dak Prescott’s Preseason Strategy and Optimistic Outlook for Upcoming Season
Prescott’s involvement in preseason games has been sparse since 2019. The pandemic-induced cancellation of the 2020 NFL preseason was followed by Prescott’s recuperation from a fractured ankle in the 2021 preseason and a subsequent shoulder injury in the following preseason.
Echoing a stark contrast to his state a year ago, Prescott underscored his positive outlook, both personally and within the Cowboys’ context. He remarked, “I’m significantly more confident about our current situation. It’s a far cry from last year. Throughout the offseason, spring, and training camp, we’ve progressed considerably compared to where we stood at this time last year in terms of strategies and nuances. The upcoming week will be dedicated to meticulous fine-tuning before we dive in.”
Recent history has seen the Cowboys facing challenging season openers. Their last triumphant season opener dates back to 2019 when they overcame the Giants with a 35-17 victory. Subsequent season openers saw them faltering against the Rams in 2020 and the Buccaneers in 2021 and 2022.
