Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks sends message to Dak Prescott's critics

With quarterback Dak Prescott locked in a heated contract negotiation with the Dallas Cowboys, many have debated whether the 31-year-old is actually worth the $60 million-per-year price tag he could reportedly command.

Prescott has been criticized a great deal for his playoff shortcomings and some analysts are using that as a reason to shortchange him on his next contract, but veteran receiver Brandin Cooks isn’t having any of it.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Cooks came to the defense of his Pro Bowl QB.

“It's blasphemy; it's unbelievable,” Cooks said . “The guy shows up every year, year in and year out, putting up numbers, leading his team. He can't do it all by himself. A lot of those great quarterbacks that I've been with, Tom [Brady] and Drew [Brees] — don't get me wrong, they won a lot of games, won a lot of Super Bowls — but they had a lot of help around them as well, right? Us players around [Dak] also got to step up.”

Prescott acknowledged Cooks’ comments on Thursday, stating he appreciated having the support of those around him in the locker room.

“When we hear that disrespect," Cooks added, "I take that personally and as his teammates we should take that personally because at the end of the day, somebody has got to be able to help him get over that hump so we can go win one."

Despite the fact that Prescott is 2-5 in the postseason, Dallas’ 48-32 home loss to the Green Bay Packers last season can hardly be blamed solely on him.

Prescott threw for 403 yards and three touchdowns — albeit with two huge interceptions in addition — but the Cowboys defense surrendered 415 yards of total offense and allowed Jordan Love to march up and down the field.