By Blessing 
The Dallas Cowboys have already seen a wave of roster changes this offseason, with several familiar faces heading to new destinations. Jourdan Lewis and Chuma Edoga have signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Chauncey Golston is now a member of the New York Giants. Longtime defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is set to suit up for the Seattle Seahawks.
As the dust settles, the future of Brandin Cooks remains uncertain. Will he return to his old form—posting 1,000-yard seasons like he did with each of the four teams he played for before coming to Dallas? Maybe he will, but perhaps not while wearing a Cowboys uniform. His consistent 1,000-yard streak was interrupted during his time in Dallas, and whether that chapter of his career continues or closes remains to be seen.
Despite the dip in production, Cooks seems to carry a sense of appreciation for his time with the Cowboys. In a recent conversation with DLLS Sports, Cooks opened up about several topics—including the ongoing scrutiny of quarterback Dak Prescott.
When asked if the criticism aimed at Prescott has been fair, Cooks offered a thoughtful and layered response.
“What people don’t understand in my opinion from a quarterback position… yeah, this is why they get paid the big bucks so I don’t feel for him. But at the same time, he needs help. And I’m not just saying help from players. You need help as an organization. You need to put his teammates in places where they can receive the most help to be the healthiest they can possibly be. Just taking things off his plate when it comes to play-calling and stuff like that. And so it’s an umbrella of things that a quarterback needs to winning.”
His comments shine a light on a deeper issue—not just about Prescott, but about how teams support their quarterbacks from a broader organizational level. While it’s easy to point fingers at the guy under center, Cooks’ message is a reminder that winning football requires more than just star power—it requires infrastructure, strategy, and support.
Interestingly, Cooks touched on the importance of players’ health, hinting that the organization needs to do more to ensure teammates are positioned to stay healthy. This raises questions about the Cowboys’ training staff, who were once again under scrutiny in the NFLPA’s Team Report Cards. While Cooks didn’t directly call them out, it’s not a stretch to think his comments may have been partly aimed in that direction.
The reality is, this conversation goes beyond Prescott. Sure, he’s the quarterback, and naturally, he gets more attention. But Cooks’ broader point is clear—building a winning team takes more than talent on the field. It’s about setting players up for success at every level, from coaching to training to organizational leadership.
Prescott, like any quarterback, shares responsibility for the team’s shortcomings. But he’s not the only one. And if the Cowboys truly want to reach their potential, perhaps it’s time the organization looked inward and started supporting their quarterback—and everyone else—a little better.