Dak Prescott named a finalist for an award he hopes to never be in contention for again
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback was named a finalist for the AP’s Comeback Player of the Year award.
At one point of the 2025 NFL season, it seemed as if Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott would be a legitimate MVP candidate. The most prestigious individual award, however, often goes to quarterbacks on winning teams.
It quickly became clear, as the Cowboys defense kept complicating things with an underwhelming year, that Prescott’s contention for the award would quickly dissipate. He is, however, a finalist for another award. And it’s one he hopes to never be in contention for again, yet one that speaks volumes about his mental fortitude.
Prescott a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year
The AP announced its Comeback Player of the Year finalists on Thursday morning, with Prescott among five of them. It’s the second time Prescott makes the cut as a finalist. The other candidates are:
- WR Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots
- DE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions
- QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
- RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
In 2024, Prescott suffered a nasty hamstring injury that ended his season prematurely. In 2025, his rehab was so impressive that by April, he felt ready to play a game. A big advantage in his recovery was his experience on a similar place in the past. Prescott’s 2020 season was also cut short due to an ankle fracture.
“It’s just the work that I’ve put into it, unfortunately I’ve been through this process of recovering from injuries before that I embrace it,” Prescott said in April. “I know that a better version of me is on the other side, so that’s just the way that I’ve approached this whole offseason and this whole rehab process.”
His process sure paid off, making him a finalist for this year’s Comeback Player of the Year. He finished third in passing yards and led the league entering Week 18, when he sat for an entire half. He was also fourth in passing touchdowns, and Top 10 in key stats like yards per attempt and sack rate allowed.
Naturally, at 32 years old, Prescott hopes this is the last time he’s in the running for this award. He has a lengthy injury history that caused many to question his durability. But as he showed in 2025, he’s capable of playing a full season healthy. That is enough of a prize for him.
Dak faces fierce competition
Despite a strong year, Prescott faces an uphill battle to be named the winner of this year’s award. Out of five finalists, McCaffrey is the only first-team All-Pro. Additionally, Hutchinson is a second-team All-Pro.
Remember, these are the same voters who decide who will be Comeback Player of the Year. Considering this year’s finalists suffered “regular” on-field injuries and didn’t go through extraordinary circumstances like Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin a few years ago—the AP emphasized the award’s intention after voters opted for Joe Flacco over Hamlin—I expect on-field results to carry a lot of weight on this year’s winners.
In other words, I’d expect Christian McCaffrey to be the favorite over Prescott in this case. Or even Hutchinson, who also received All-Pro honors after a brutal fibula and tibia fracture. Being nominated for this award is worthy of a big round of applause for every candidate, however. The blood, sweat, and tears that go into the sport are evidenced by these player’s work in rehab to get on the field and keep providing the fans with top-tier football play.
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