Dak Prescott: The Quarterback Who’s Found Freedom in Fatherhood and Football

As the Dallas Cowboys wrapped up their joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams, players and coaches lingered on the field, catching up with each other and saying their goodbyes. But one quarterback was noticeably absent from the festivities.

Where was Dak Prescott?

It turned out that Prescott had slipped away to a nearby tent, where he was spending quality time with his girlfriend, Sarah Jane Ramos, and their 5-month-old daughter, MJ. The quarterback was beaming with joy as he played with his little one, whistling and speaking to her in a soothing tone.

In this moment, Prescott had found a sense of escape from the pressures of being a starting quarterback in the NFL. He had just led the Cowboys’ first-team offense through a grueling practice session, and was now basking in the joy of fatherhood.

“You’re frustrated about that, and then you come over here and get to see her laugh,” Prescott said, reflecting on the experience. “Not that I don’t care about that, because I’ll get that cleaned up in there. But to be able to compartmentalize it, leave it right there in between those lines, come over here… She makes me laugh, understand what life is about, understanding that I’ll be able to clean that up.”

As Prescott navigates the complexities of his NFL career, he’s found a sense of freedom in his personal life. With his contract situation hanging in the balance, Prescott is approaching the 2024 season with a clear mind and a renewed sense of purpose.

The Two-Way Street of Contract Negotiations

Contractually, Prescott will be a free agent after this season, giving him significant leverage in negotiations. The team has publicly stated its desire to keep Prescott beyond 2024, but the quarterback is in no rush to commit to a new deal.

“I’m free right now as in, where I am in life, what I’ve done here — not what I’ve done here, but who I’ve been here,” Prescott said, reflecting on his career. “Understanding that sure, I’m deserving of [the next contract]. But then again, I mean, I told [my physical therapist] Luke [Miller] this: This game is judged off of winning the Super Bowl. And I understand people’s angst, maybe their angst and me having not done that.”

Prescott’s career statistics are impressive, with a 99.0 passer rating, 202 touchdowns, and 29,459 passing yards. But his postseason record has been a point of contention, with the Cowboys failing to win a Super Bowl or even advance to the NFC championship game during his tenure.

The outcome of the 2024 season will likely weigh heavily on Prescott’s contractual future, as both he and the team assess their chances of winning a Super Bowl together or apart.

For now, Prescott is focused on preparing for the season ahead, sharpening his skills and deepening his chemistry with his teammates. And as he navigates the complexities of his NFL career, he’s found a sense of freedom in his personal life, thanks to the joys of fatherhood.

“To say I’m free means I’m in no rush — whether it happens before camp, during the season, or at the end of the season when other people have opportunities,” Prescott said. “My focus and mindset that allows me to be free is: Hell, I’m getting paid a lot of money to play the game that I love right now. And I’m not going to cheat that for one bit. [I’ll] give everything to my teammates, and not stress about this because I have to make sure I go home and give everything to these two [Sarah Jane and MJ] as well.”

With his priorities in order, Prescott is ready to take on the 2024 season, and whatever the future may hold.