Having missed much of the 2020 season due to an ankle injury, Dak Prescott came back strongly in 2021 by leading the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-mike-mccarthy-gets-strong-support-from-cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-2364-20220726-SPD-2364.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cowboys</a> to the NFC East title. Dallas, however, fell short of <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-sean-payton-believes-hell-return-to-coaching-but-doesnt-know-where-2277-20220719-SPD-2277.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expectations</a> by losing in the Wild Card round.



This offseason, the team lost high-profile players in La’el Collins and Connor McGovern, who hit the free agency, while it also traded star wideout Amari Cooper. Therefore, many believe they won’t do better than in 2021.



But Prescott is certainly not one of them. Though the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/super-bowl-champions-list-of-all-time-winners-215-20220503-SPD-215.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cowboys</a> lost significant weapons, while divisional rivals like the Eagles strengthened themselves, the star quarterback feels they are in an even better place than last year.



<h2>Dak Prescott says Cowboys are in better position than last year</h2>



“Very, very optimistic,” Prescott said on Peter King’s podcast, via CBS Sports. “Because of the team we had last year and because of what we went through, the way that we’ve handled it moving forward, I think we’re in a better position this year than we were last year. And I know some guys have gone and some guys have left and went to other teams, but that’s the nature of this business. 



“What we have built here, the core, the leaders, mixed with a great group of young guys who are hungry to make names for themselves and get in this league running. I feel very, very confident about where we are and excited about where we are and am just ready to keep building and get this thing rolling.”

NFL News: Dak Prescott feels Cowboys are in a better position than in 2021 - thesportsdrops NEWS

NFL News: Dak Prescott feels Cowboys are in a better position than in 2021

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When the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-panthers-acquire-baker-mayfield-from-browns-2078-20220708-SPD-2078.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panthers traded for Baker Mayfield</a>, it seemed pretty clear they wanted him to take the reins this year. However, Matt Rhule wanted him to fight for the job before announcing who would be QB1.



This week, Carolina finally announced that Mayfield will be the starting quarterback in <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/jacoby-brissett-reacts-to-possibly-taking-over-for-deshaun-watson-2437-20220802-SPD-2437.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season</a> against his former team, the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-rumors-browns-interest-in-reuniting-with-odell-beckham-jr-slim-to-non-existent-1400-20220609-SPD-1400.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleveland Browns</a>.



That means Sam Darnold‘s aspirations of keeping the job are over after weeks of fighting for the position. Though it’s not what he wanted, he didn’t complain about the Panthers’ decision to bench him.



<h2>Sam Darnold not mad about losing Panthers’ QB job to Baker Mayfield</h2>



“We were fighting for the starting job,” Darnold said, via ProFootballTalk. “Every day was our game day out there during camp, especially as we got into these last couple weeks. . . . Obviously it didn’t go my way. Coach named Baker the starter. My mindset is it is what it is. For me, right now, I’m gonna do everything I can to support Baker and get him ready to play a game.”



At the end of the day, this is a team sport, regardless of which position you’re playing. Darnold had his chance last year, and he didn’t seize it. Now it’s Mayfield’s turn, and Darnold has no option but to support him and be ready in case he’s needed.

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NFL News: Dak Prescott feels Cowboys are in a better position than in 2021

NFL News: Sam Darnold opens up on losing Panthers' QB job to Baker Mayfield

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