The Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 season took another gut-punch in their 44-22 thrashing at the hands of the Denver Broncos, with quarterback Dak Prescott’s struggles casting a glaring spotlight on the team’s woes. In a game where Prescott was outshined by both Denver’s Bo Nix and his own backup, Joe Milton III, the $240 million signal-caller delivered a post-game message that shook the locker room: “Do more. Step up.”
Prescott’s performance against the Broncos was one to forget. Completing just 19 of 31 passes for 188 yards, he threw two interceptions and posted a dismal 51.5 quarterback rating before being yanked by head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Enter Joe Milton III, the offseason trade acquisition from the New England Patriots, who in a mere seven minutes completed 3 of 4 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a sparkling 156.2 rating. The contrast was stark, and it only amplified the growing concerns around Prescott’s ability to lead the 3-4-1 Cowboys, who have yet to string together back-to-back wins this season.
“Adversity reveals character,” Prescott said after the game, reflecting on the loss. “And it builds character. So we’ve got to get back to the basics. We’ve got to make sure practice carries over into Sunday. And this week it didn’t.” His words, while measured, carried a pointed undertone, especially when he addressed the swirling trade rumors and locker room chatter: “Forget a trade, do more. Step up and shut the talk up.” Those three words—do more, step up—were a direct challenge to his teammates and, by extension, a Cowboys franchise grappling with its identity.
On the other side of the field, Denver’s second-year quarterback Bo Nix showcased why the Broncos are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Nix completed 65.6% of his 29 passes for 247 yards, throwing four touchdowns with one interception, good for a 117.4 rating. The Broncos’ offense exploded for 426 total yards, including 179 on the ground, exposing Dallas’ defensive frailties yet again.
Despite the Cowboys’ offensive prowess—ranking second in the NFL with 384.1 yards per game, just behind the Indianapolis Colts (385.3 ypg)—their defense has been a glaring liability. Leading the league in passing yards, thanks to Prescott and a star-studded receiving corps of CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and tight end Jake Ferguson, Dallas’ offense has been elite. But the defense, still reeling from the shocking departure of star pass rusher Micah Parsons after a public feud with owner Jerry Jones, lacks cohesion. The Cowboys allowed over 400 yards for the fourth time this season, ranking second-worst in the NFL at 404.6 yards allowed per game, only ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals (407.9 ypg).
At 32, Prescott dismissed any talk of retirement, reaffirming his goal to play into his forties if his health holds. He remains optimistic about the roster’s potential, telling Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris, “I hope. I trust and I like the guys we have. I honestly do, that’s not just a political answer. Our roster is okay. Can it be better? That’s for you guys to write about and judge.” Yet, with trade rumors swirling and the Cowboys sitting at 3-4-1, second in the NFC East behind the 6-2 Philadelphia Eagles, the pressure is mounting.
As Dallas prepares for a Monday Night Football showdown with the Arizona Cardinals, Prescott’s fiery call to “do more” reverberates. The Cowboys have the offensive talent to compete, but without a defensive turnaround and consistency from their franchise quarterback, the season risks slipping away. For Prescott and America’s Team, it’s time to back up the words with action—or face the consequences of a wasted year.