Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (Post-Game Transcript)
On the spitting incident:
“Yeah, I probably spit a thousand times throughout the game. I mean especially game day, maybe even in general and something I guess I’m not proud of. But in that case, he was trolling, I guess you could say, trying to mess with [Cowboys RG] Tyler Booker. I was just looking at him. I was right here by the two linemen and I guess I needed to spit, and I wasn’t going to spit on my lineman and I just spit ahead. I would say he was back there and was in that sense and he goes, ‘Are you trying to spit on me?’ At that point, I mean I felt like he was insulting me. I wouldn’t spit on somebody. ‘I’m damn sure I’m not trying to spit on you.’ We’re about to play a game. I’m wondering why you’re trying to mess with the rookie, and so when I stepped through, I actually say the words like, ‘Why the hell would I -” excuse me, but I’m probably even more colorful. ‘What would I need to spin on you for?’ He just spit on me in that moment, it was more of a surprise than anything. Refs obviously saw it through the flag. I was like, ‘Hell yeah, we get 15 yards to start the game off.’ Didn’t realize he was getting ejected. Unfortunate that he did. He is a hell of a player. It changed our plan and our blocking scheme, as I’ve told you before the week that we’re going to protect against him. So it helped in that manner. I don’t wish for anybody to get out of the game. I’m sure he probably regressed that to some extent. I’m pretty sure he knows that I didn’t try to spit on him or wasn’t even aiming to spit on him. So something that’s probably going to get a lot of coverage and a lot of attention that I feel sorry for him in the sense of, yeah, I mean I know how excited each and every one of us are right to kick off the season and the season opener, and hell of a player like that doesn’t even get a chance in the first play. Unfortunate circumstances.”
On how he keeps his composure after getting spit on:
“Yeah, I was more surprised. I mean honestly it hit me more on my collar I guess, than straight skin thankfully. But yeah, I was just more surprised. I mean like I said, I was insulted that I even thought I tried to spit on him. So then for him to react and spit, I’m sure it’s not something he’s proud of.”
On his conversation with Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb about his drops after the game:
“Yeah, I mean I talked to him after the series after one of them or so and obviously right there at the end of the game and in the locker room. I mean there wasn’t a big long talk that needed to be had as he took ownership and accountability right to you guys. He shut me up in the same sense of taking accountability and after the game going over to him and he is just doing this. It wasn’t just those plays. There’s throws out there that I want back, but it’s game one and he’s a guy that makes those plays. He’s going to make those plays. We’re not going to get down on him. I’m not going to lose confidence by any means and he will make those plays.”
On his thoughts of the game and the team’s overall performance:
“With all the change and a new head coach, the group went out there physical as hell together. It was fun every way through. Obviously we thought we had a chance, we had opportunities. Defense is trying to blame themselves in the first half and offense is going to blame themselves in the second half. So, a lot of accountability was taken in the locker room. But we’re definitely process oriented and as [Cowboys Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer] said, if we continue to compete and play physical like that, we’re going to be proud of the team that we can put together each and every week. So it’s one of 17 [games]. I didn’t think we were going to go undefeated. It sucks. Wanted to get the first one obviously, especially against a good team in the division, but we got to move on and we got another division game next week.”
On how he feels the Cowboys defense responded following the trade of LB Micah Parsons:
“I think they were great. I don’t think that was on anyone’s mind. They’re professionals and particularly on that side of the ball they went out there and did their job. I don’t think it was like we’re going to miss this or miss that. He’s a hell of a pass rusher and probably would’ve made plays, but we’re not going to live in that and I don’t care to be honest. We wish him the best and truly wish him the best. This is about this team, this is about the 2025 Cowboys and that defense, those young rushers making a name for themselves. Guys that went out there and made some plays and got some pressure there late in the game when we needed to. So I don’t think necessarily a beat was missed and I really give credit to them. I mean unfortunately though, I won’t say the holdout, but the hold-in during training camp, he wasn’t necessarily taking the reps with the team. So I don’t think that was something that they had to figure out. It was just go out there and let’s build off of what we’ve been doing since training camp.”
On the first game played under new Cowboys Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer:
“We were prepared. As I said, he did everything he could to give us an opportunity, especially one as a head coach in terms of having us prepared. With the way we went out there, we were physical and we played together. We’ve just got to play a little bit more complimentary. And what I mean by that is defense gets some stops in the first half and we score points in the second half. Then we’re going to be proud of the outcome of this game. But as a head coach, he did his job and as a play-caller, he gave us every opportunity and he was dialing it up. So yeah, it sucks that he didn’t get his first win here tonight in game one, but it’s a long season and he’s going to get it.”
On how he would evaluate his play in the season opener:
“I have to go back and look at it. It was fun just to be out there, and I’m super thankful and blessed to be back in the game and back with those guys. That offensive line and those receivers just felt good, felt great out there. Obviously there’s some throws, particularly to [TE] Jake [Ferguson] right there, one to [TE Brevyn Sparin-Ford] that I want to get a little bit higher, give him a little bit more of a catchable ball, but I felt like I played a smooth game.”
On his overall evaluation of the offense:
“We have to finish. We have to come out and score in the second half. We’ve got to get points. All 20 [points] were in the first half and you can’t score 20 in the first half and then lay a goose egg in the second half. So the red zone turnover obviously doesn’t help, but we had opportunities even on that drive to score and we’ve got to capitalize on those before we even get to that place. So that’s not on [RB] Miles [Sanders], that’s not on anyone. We’ve got to capitalize as a unit. And that’s my point about being process-oriented and every man in that locker room felt that way particularly on offense and defense. We all would say the same about the first half. So a lot to grow from.”
On whether the team had a chip on its shoulder due to the Eagles being defending Super Bowl Champions or heavy favorites:
“Me personally, I don’t know the line. I don’t know if I ever know a line. I doubt any guy in that locker room is playing to a line. So we don’t give a damn what that is. This is the NFL and we know we can win and we went out there and gave ourselves an opportunity and we just didn’t do it tonight.”
On whether he feels the Cowboys let a possible win get away tonight:
“We didn’t win it for sure. I felt like with three minutes left and we had some plays out there that we didn’t make. Yeah, for sure this one got away.”
On Cowboys LT Tyler Guyton and Cowboys RG Tyler Booker:
“Yeah, those dudes did a hell of a job and I complimented them during that lightning delay. And again after the game. I mean I really think the only time I was on the ground was making the tackle after the fumble for the most part. Those young guys came out there, they set the tone on being physical. When we talk about being physical, it starts with the guys in the trenches on offense and defensive line. And our guys set the tone for us early, got the run game going and kept me clean all night. So yeah, a lot to be proud of. And that’s one of the main things right there is how those guys play. And as you said, [Cowboys LT] Tyler [Guyton], to miss time throughout training camp and then to come back and thought maybe he’d be on a snap count, something like that. And guy goes out there and shows he’s ready and he can keep producing each and every drive and series. And he did that.”
On running being an emphasis during the offseason in terms of training and how he felt the work this offseason translated to this first game:
“Yeah, I felt slow on that one, broke the tackle I guess in the pocket, but other than that, I mean healthy, felt healthy. That was the main part of it, is being able to run, whether it’s to get out of pressure, use my legs when I need to and just be healthy throughout the game. So something that I’m not going to stop and just keep building on. But a lot of work has gone into this and we’ll continue to grow from it.”
On whether the ejection of Eagles DT Jalen Carter is enough or if he thinks the League should suspend him:
“That’s not my call, that’s not my call.”
On the weather delay and how players prepare and stay sharp and how much of an effect it had:
“Yeah, I don’t think it had that much of an effect. If anything, it probably helped us out, right? It was right after the turnover. Maybe stopped their momentum and made people forget about what had happened right there. Unfortunately, we played in the game last year where it went longer than that. I mean, guys being professional and that’s part of it, right? Come in, take the cleats off, shoulder pads off, relax a little bit, hang out. The vibes were high, the guys were confident in us going out there and finishing this game and it was just getting off your feet. But then again, once you knew you were about 15 minutes to go, it’s about getting the body back warm and obviously we got to get out there and have that warm up. So it’s just part of being a pro. You just have to adjust when it’s called for.”