The Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has spent years facing questions about whether he can lead the Cowboys on a deep playoff run. Now, one former NFL running back reignited the debate with a blunt assessment of the Cowboys' ceiling.

During the June 24 episode of the Speakeasy podcast hosted by former NFL running back LeSean McCoy and linebacker Emmanuel Acho, McCoy pointed out Prescott’s declaration of reaching the playoffs as the ‘minimum expectation’, which McCoy believes to be a quiet reflection of his own ceiling.

“I don't know what's going on with Dak,” McCoy said. “I do respect him, though. He's not a bad quarterback. But it's just some players I feel like - I don't know if I can get it done with them."

Prescott had previously said during the mandatory minicamp media sessions (June 16-18) that reaching the playoffs is ‘the bare minimum’ and expressed frustration at missing the playoffs for two consecutive seasons.

"I think he is good, but everybody has a ceiling," McCoy added. "I think I know where Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys' ceiling is, and it's not the NFC Championship game."

The Cowboys last won a postseason game on January 16, 2023, with a 14-19-1 record over the past two seasons.

Prescott’s playoff record is 2-5, and his most recent postseason appearance ended in a 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 season.

Prescott completed 404 of 600 pass attempts (being the most completions in the NFL) for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and ten interceptions in 2025.

He also led the Cowboys to rank No. 2 in total offense (391.9 average yards) and in passing offense (266.3 passing yards average) in the league last season. 

That said, McCoy's comments on the show drew flak from the Cowboys fans who felt the former NFL star was overlooking Prescott's production and the defensive issues that have contributed to the lack of playoff success.

Cowboys fans push back on LeSean McCoy's Prescott criticism

The Cowboys fans reacted to McCoy's take on Prescott's claim on the YouTube channel, where McCoy pointed out that the franchise wouldn't get past the playoffs based on their records.

One fan commented that Prescott keeps the playoffs as the floor and not the ceiling.

"The man said the minimum expectations are to make the playoffs, Dak didn’t even mention the Super Bowl, dang, Dak can’t even breathe a certain way," one fan wrote.

Another fan suggested that McCoy is living up to his nickname 'Shady' with another harsh take on Prescott.

"They couldn’t wait to attack anything a Cowboy says that can be taken as 'arrogance', lol. Topic was catered for Shady," one fan commented.

Fans called out the blind favoritism for McCoy's former team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Keep that same energy for Jalen Hurts when he doesn't make it to the playoffs, nothing is guaranteed, Shady," one fan wrote.

Another fan questioned the purpose of the debate, as making the playoffs is every NFL team's primary goal.

"If you don't expect to make the playoffs, you're in the wrong business. Their defense is vastly improved, and they already have a top ten offense. So why is it such a stretch to say making the playoffs is the goal?" one fan commented.

The Cowboys hired new defensive coordinator Christian Parker and added Caleb Downs, who, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota, is " the most notable player the Cowboys added this offseason."

What do you think about whether Prescott and the Cowboys can prove McCoy wrong? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar