FRISCO - Dak Prescott is a Brian Schottenheimer guy, and let's be clear about this ...
If that wasn't the case, the Dallas Cowboys' choice as their new head coach would not be Schottenheimer.
"Schotty'' was previously the team's offensive coordinator and was chosen to replace his friend and mentor Mike McCarthy after McCarthy and team owner Jerry Jones opted to "part ways'' when the couldn't come to an agreement on a contract extension.
Prescott is already talking up Schottenheimer's "huge impact" on the team via his previous role and believes not only that the new coach deserves "every bit of opportunity,'' but also that the 2025 Cowboys are "very close'' to winning a Super Bowl under his leadership.
And one of the things that fortifies Dak's faith in this partnership? Healthy conflict.
In Schottenheimer's recent introductory press conference here inside The Star, he spoke openly about the "hard conversations'' he and the Pro Bowl QB have had.
The coach specifically noted a talk the two had last year during training camp in Oxnard when he took Dak to task after making a mistake.
Prescott's recollection of the visit?
"That was a conversation that was very unpleasant on the front end, but it had to be addressed at some point or another, and it was, immediately after practice,'' Dak said. "It was two grown men coming to an understanding and appreciating each other for the competitiveness and the standard.
"I'm excited for things like that to grow."
Prescott said the "hard conversation'' helped create a "sense of standard'' ... but while that might be true, the 2024 team never achieved any such standard.
Dallas finished 7-10, continuing a "drought'' trend that goes back to the Cowboys not having even made an NFC Championship Game, let alone a Super Bowl, in 29 yards.
Prescott was limited to just eight games last season due to a nasty hamstring injury that he is presently rehabbing from. He is the centerpiece of much of the hope going forward as his $60 million per year contract makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
Making that pay off in the form of playoff wins is the key here. ... and Cowboys Nation surely believes that if more "hard conversations'' accomplish that? Bring 'em on.
