The Dallas Cowboys made several changes to their defense this offseason as they look to give Dak Prescott more help in 2026. Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel believes those moves could help Dallas reach the playoffs.

Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, Daniel defended Prescott against his regular critics and discussed the quarterback's 2025 season. He said there was a lengthy stretch when Prescott was playing the position as well as anyone.

"I was a huge Dak fan, specifically last year... I think that he was a little bit underrated," Daniel said. "There was a stretch of 10 or 12 games where you could argue he was playing the position of quarterback better than anyone in terms of going to the right."

Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show on August 25 via NFL on ESPN YouTube, Daniel pointed to Prescott's strengths as a pocket passer, particularly his footwork, reads, and attention to detail.

Prescott threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 67.3% of his passes in 17 games last season.

In Daniel's view, Dallas already had the offensive pieces to make a deeper run with Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The missing piece was a defense capable of holding up its end.

That's where the Cowboys focused their attention during the offseason. Christian Parker replaced Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator, while Dallas added players including Von Miller, Rashan Gary, Jaylen Thompson and Cobie Durant.

Daniel also praised Brian Schottenheimer for his work during his first year as head coach, both as an offensive play-caller and in managing the attention surrounding the franchise.

“....I really believe if their defense can finish top 12 in the league, this is going to be a playoff team that can win playoff games," Daniel concluded.

That prediction would represent a major change for a team that has missed the postseason in consecutive seasons.

Cowboys face major pressure entering 2026 season

According to Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon, Dallas entered the season with a 9-out-of-10 score on his "Panic Meter." He pointed to the team's back-to-back losing seasons and the pressure surrounding Prescott's future.

“No team is under a more intense microscope,” Gagnon wrote. They're coming off back-to-back losing seasons, and they still have just two playoff wins in the decade-long Dak Prescott era. That has to change ASAP or Prescott could be out.”

Prescott is entering his 11th NFL season at age 33. Another disappointing year would bring more questions about his future, while a playoff breakthrough would quiet many of them.

The Cowboys have added offensive talent around Prescott and spent heavily on their defense. Daniel's view is simple: Prescott has played well enough, and Dallas needs better results from the rest of the team.

Written by

Evince Das