Dak Prescott subtly criticizes Mike McCarthy while outlining the improvements the Cowboys must make in 2025.

In the world of professional football, quarterbacks hold not only the responsibility of leading their teams on the field but also shaping the culture and direction of the franchise. As the Dallas Cowboys head into the 2025 season with high expectations, Dak Prescott, the team’s veteran quarterback, finds himself at a crossroads. While Prescott has been the face of the Cowboys’ offense for several years, recent seasons have been marked by inconsistency, particularly in the postseason. The team’s inability to make a deep run in the playoffs—despite having one of the most talented rosters in the league—has led to an ever-growing sense of urgency in Dallas.

As the Cowboys look ahead to the 2025 season, Dak Prescott is beginning to speak out more candidly about the changes necessary to break through the barriers that have kept the team from reaching its full potential. While not overtly confrontational, Prescott’s recent comments subtly hint at a growing dissatisfaction with the current leadership under Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys’ head coach. Prescott’s remarks, carefully worded but hard to ignore, outline his concerns about the offensive approach and the adjustments needed to elevate the team’s performance in 2025.

The Frustration with Stagnation

The 2024 season, like many before it, ended in disappointment for the Cowboys, leaving fans and players alike questioning what went wrong. Despite having a potent offense and one of the league’s most talented defenses, Dallas failed to make a deep postseason run, with early playoff exits continuing to haunt Prescott and the Cowboys’ brass.

Prescott, who has been the face of the Cowboys since he took over as the starter in 2016, is undeniably a competitor. His leadership on and off the field is highly regarded, but as the years pass, the pressure to win Super Bowls only intensifies. While Prescott has put up impressive individual numbers—breaking numerous records for the franchise—his inability to win consistently in the postseason has led to pointed discussions about whether the team is truly headed in the right direction.

In a recent interview, Prescott expressed the frustration that comes with repeatedly falling short, but in a subtle way that may indicate underlying issues with the coaching staff and offensive philosophy. “We’re close, but we know that ‘close’ isn’t enough anymore,” Prescott said, referencing the team’s tendency to come up short in big moments. “The talent is there, but we have to find ways to execute when it matters most. We need to adjust, find new ways to attack, and not just rely on the same formula every year.”

While Prescott did not directly name Mike McCarthy, his words seem to be aimed at a system that has been criticized for its predictability and lack of innovation. McCarthy, who took over as head coach of the Cowboys in 2020, has often been criticized for not fully utilizing the team’s offensive weapons in a way that maximizes their potential. Prescott’s frustration with the lack of progression in offensive schemes—particularly in big-game situations—has been echoed by fans and analysts alike.

The Offensive Scheme: Predictable and Stagnant

One of the most glaring criticisms of the Cowboys’ offense under McCarthy has been its reliance on an overly simplistic, predictable scheme that often stalls when the game is on the line. While McCarthy is a Super Bowl-winning coach, his time in Dallas has been marred by struggles to adapt and adjust offensively, particularly when facing high-caliber opponents in the postseason.

Prescott’s recent comments about needing to adjust and find new ways to attack speak volumes about his belief that the Cowboys’ offensive approach has become too stagnant. The team has an array of talent—starting with Prescott, who is capable of making all the throws, and continuing with playmakers like CeeDee Lamb, Tony Pollard, and Michael Gallup—but the offense has often lacked the creativity and dynamic playcalling required to truly challenge elite defenses in critical moments.

In the 2024 playoffs, for example, the Cowboys’ offense was largely ineffective against the San Francisco 49ers, who shut down Prescott’s aerial attack and forced the Cowboys into predictable play-calling. The lack of offensive ingenuity in the postseason was especially glaring, as McCarthy’s decision-making was questioned. Prescott, who has often thrived in up-tempo offenses and situations that demand improvisation, was unable to break free from the defensive schemes that the 49ers put in place.

Prescott’s frustration with this predictability came to light in his subtle critique: “We’ve got the players, but the key is putting the right pieces in place at the right time. There’s a lot of focus on doing what we do best, but sometimes we need to step outside the box and bring in different concepts, different strategies.” It’s clear from this statement that Prescott is urging for a more diversified offensive game plan, something that can keep defenses off-balance and force them to adjust instead of being able to anticipate every play.

While McCarthy has been known for his success in guiding quarterbacks—most notably Aaron Rodgers to a Super Bowl win in Green Bay—there has been growing concern in Dallas that the current scheme is too reliant on a traditional, conservative playbook. McCarthy’s own decision-making has been called into question, with critics arguing that he has failed to evolve with the changing nature of the NFL, where innovative offenses often rule the day.

The Need for Adaptability: Moving Beyond the Ground-and-Pound

Another area where Prescott has subtly hinted at McCarthy’s shortcomings is in the team’s offensive philosophy, particularly the over-reliance on the ground game. While Tony Pollard emerged as a legitimate star in the 2024 season, and the Cowboys have traditionally relied on a balanced offense, Prescott’s comments suggest that the team needs to evolve past the ground-and-pound approach that has characterized McCarthy’s tenure.

“We can’t just rely on one aspect of the game to win,” Prescott said during his interview. “We need to be versatile and give defenses a reason to worry about every facet of our offense. The playbook has to expand. We can’t be one-dimensional.”

This statement hints at a belief that McCarthy’s offensive philosophy is too focused on running the ball, particularly in high-pressure situations. While establishing the run game is critical to any successful offense, McCarthy’s approach has often been criticized for its predictability and lack of flexibility. In the 2024 season, despite having Pollard and a solid offensive line, the Cowboys’ running game often stalled in critical moments, especially when the team was forced to play catch-up in high-stakes games.

Dak Prescott, a quarterback who thrives in a pass-heavy system, has shown that he is capable of leading a high-powered offense when given the freedom to air it out. The Cowboys’ passing attack—led by Prescott—has the ability to stretch the field with weapons like CeeDee Lamb, but too often, McCarthy’s offense defaults to a more conservative, run-first approach that limits Prescott’s opportunities to make explosive plays.

Quarterback Development and Coaching Staff: The Elephant in the Room

While much of the focus has been on the Cowboys’ offense and its scheme, there is a deeper issue at play—one that speaks to the relationship between Prescott and McCarthy. Over the course of McCarthy’s tenure, there have been moments when Prescott has looked frustrated with the offense’s direction. In particular, McCarthy’s style of coaching has often been described as hands-off, allowing the players to dictate the flow of the game. Prescott, while not overtly critical of McCarthy’s approach, has occasionally hinted that he feels a more collaborative, hands-on coaching style might be more effective.

In interviews leading up to the 2025 season, Prescott has subtly indicated that a stronger focus on quarterback development and more personalized coaching might be the key to unlocking his full potential. “I think we all have to grow,” Prescott said. “It’s not just about the plays we run. It’s about understanding how we can improve individually and collectively. That includes getting the most out of each player, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and helping them grow.”

This comment can be interpreted as a quiet critique of McCarthy’s ability to maximize the potential of Prescott and other players on the offense. While McCarthy has a history of working with successful quarterbacks, the lack of a true, structured developmental system in Dallas for its quarterback has led to questions about whether Prescott is receiving the level of coaching he needs to elevate his game further.

The Way Forward: Leadership and Accountability

As the 2025 season looms, it’s clear that Prescott wants to see change, and his comments reveal a desire for the Cowboys to evolve both in terms of their coaching and their approach to offense. For the Cowboys to finally break through the ceiling that has kept them from playoff glory, adjustments will need to be made—particularly when it comes to offensive philosophy, play-calling, and quarterback development.

Prescott’s subtle criticisms may serve as a wake-up call to Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys’ front office. In a league where offensive innovation is often the key to success, the Cowboys cannot afford to remain static. Prescott has the tools and talent to lead a Super Bowl-winning team, but the surrounding structure—coaching included—must evolve to match his skill set and potential. The path to a championship for Prescott and the Cowboys in 2025 will require not only the continued development of young talent but also a willingness from McCarthy to embrace change, adapt, and empower his quarterback to be the best version of himself.

As the offseason continues, all eyes will be on how the Cowboys respond to these subtle critiques. The clock is ticking, and Prescott, more than anyone, knows that the time for change is now.