COWBOYS
Dak Prescott most polarizing NFL player according to Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report did a ranking of the league’s most polarizing players in 2024 and it’s no surprise that a player from America’s Team topped the list.
The Dallas Cowboys are controversial all on their own. A team that refers to itself as “America’s Team”, but hasn’t won a title in nearly three decades, has consistently topped the list of most valuable NFL teams (not to mention sports franchises in general) for years, and remains one of the most-talked about football teams in the league is bound to have some haters.
Appropriately, when Bleacher Report came out with a ranking of most polarizing players in the NFL, a Cowboys star was at the top of the list.
Bleacher Report names Cowboys star most polarizing player in the NFL
Did we mention the Cowboys haven’t won a title since 1996? Yeah, well, that particular fault often gets blamed on the quarterback. The current subject of that blame is one Rayne Dakota Prescott. Dak has been with the Cowboys since 2016, and like Tony Romo before him, he’s become somewhat controversial, or shall we say, polarizing.
In his eight seasons with the Cowboys, Prescott has put up incredible statistics, brought the Cowboys consistent regular-season success, set franchise records, made it to three Pro Bowls, and become the face of the franchise. And yet, he’s never won more than two playoff games and has no titles to show for it.
Heading into 2024, there’s even more polarization surrounding the Cowboys quarterback, as he’s entering the final year of his contract, leaving Dallas to decide whether or not to sign him to a potentially record-breaking contract extension. On one hand, the Cowboys wouldn’t have had the success they’ve had if not for Prescott under center, and if they let him walk in free agency, the options at QB aren’t going to be great. On the other hand, do they want to dish out all those millions only to flop in the postseason? On a third hand, is it really fair at all to blame Prescott for the lack of postseason success? Thus comes the polarization, and Bleacher Report’s ranking of Prescott as the number one most polarizing player.
Here’s what they wrote about Prescott:
“The upside: With a 105.9 passer rating and a league-high 36 touchdowns, Prescott was the NFL runner-up in 2023.
The downside: The Cowboys are apprehensive about giving him a new contract for a reason. The 31-year-old has been part of just two playoff wins despite rarely lacking support. He’s thrown four interceptions in playoff losses the last two years.
Key question(s): Can he change that narrative? Because if not, none of the regular-season numbers will matter. And if he’s playing for his financial future in 2024, will that boost his performance or cause him to wilt?”
Other players on the list include Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, whose debate is whether or not he’s washed up or just needs a fresh start with a new team, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who’s full of unknowns in the big league, and Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who just hasn’t been able to quite reach his full potential yet.
Bleacher Report’s full list of NFL’s Top 10 most polarizing players in 2024:
- Dak Prescott (QB, Cowboys)
- Russell Wilson (QB, Steelers)
- Anthony Richardson (QB, Colts)
- Trevor Lawrence (QB, Jaguars)
- Kyle Pitts (TE, Falcons)
- Jonathan Taylor (RB, Colts)
- Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Dolphins)
- Josh Uche (edge, Patriots)
- Chris Olave (WR, Saints)
- Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles)