Never one to mince words on the topic of the Cowboys, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith was an open book while addressing the future of quarterback Dak Prescott. Only this time, he approached the situation with a mostly fair take and something he always provides—interesting analysis and opinions on the topic.
After fellow ESPN analyst Ryan Clark said Prescott should take it personally that he has not yet received a contract extension, Smith essentially doubled down on that idea. During a segment of ESPN’s First Take, the longtime analyst and host began by addressing Clark’s comments.
“Yeah, yeah, absolutely he should take it personally. You know why? Because that’s Jerry Jones’s way of saying, ‘Man I’ve got questions. I’m not sure I believe in you, I’m not sure you’re that dude. I was hesitant to give you the reins from the very, very beginning and I’m hesitant to give it to you now,’” Smith said.
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He proceeded to point to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones “hesitating” on paying Prescott previously, but then laid out the scenario where he could possibly see the team trading its quarterback down the road.
“At the end of the day, what Jerry Jones is saying, considering the dead cap hit—$61.9 million he’s gonna have next year, so you don’t want to release him because it’ll kill you. But that means that you will entertain trading him, if he wets the bed,” Smith said.
“I don’t think he will, because I know the brother’s not a scrub, he’s talented. But it is Jerry Jones trying to nudge and find a way to put you on notice—‘Look, I need more than two playoff victories, O.K.? I don’t need you to get the postseason yet again and wetting the bed. You’ve been this quarterback for eight years for this franchise, do something other than getting me regular season wins.”
The playoff victories argument has long remained an Achilles heel for Prescott supporters, but his production on the field remains more than impressive enough to keep him in the top 10 among NFL quarterbacks. One interesting argument here would be how Smith, along with the rest of the NFL media and fans would view Prescott if he were to breakthrough and win a Super Bowl for the Cowboys.
We may never know, but if it does ever happen, there’s a good chance it’d set social media on fire.
