Dak Prescott Urges Cowboys to Stay Focused as Trade Deadline Nears

As the NFL trade deadline looms on November 4, speculation continues to swirl across the league — and around the Dallas Cowboys. At 3-4-1, the Cowboys find themselves hovering below .500, caught between the temptation to make a splash move and the need to stay the course with their current roster. Amid the noise, quarterback Dak Prescott offered a grounded perspective on how the team should handle the uncertainty of trade season.

Speaking with reporters this week, the 32-year-old veteran admitted that trades can strengthen a team’s chances but noted that such decisions ultimately rest with owner Jerry Jones and the Dallas front office. His message to teammates, however, was simple: focus on what can be controlled.

“It definitely can help a team,” Prescott said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “But I’ll go back to what I said after the last game — I just encourage the guys in the locker room to do whatever they can in this time to shut that talk up.”

The Cowboys enter Week 9 preparing for a crucial Monday night matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Whether or not a deal is made before the deadline, Prescott’s focus remains on improvement from within, both individually and collectively.

1. Balancing Trade Rumors and Locker Room Focus

Trade chatter has followed the Cowboys for weeks. With their record hovering below expectations, speculation ranges from potential sell-offs for future draft picks to aggressive moves aimed at bolstering a playoff push. Dallas still holds two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft — assets that could be used either to rebuild or reload. Prescott made it clear that, while he recognizes the importance of roster adjustments, his role as team leader is to keep the locker room centered on performance. “That’s just all of us looking in the mirror and trying to say, ‘Where can I be better?’ and ‘How can I take advantage of this opportunity?’” he said. For a team known for its bold front-office decisions, the Cowboys’ next move remains uncertain. Jerry Jones has a history of taking risks at the deadline, though this year’s inconsistent start complicates any clear direction. Dallas has shown flashes of brilliance offensively but has struggled defensively, ranking near the bottom of the league in several key categories. Prescott’s message reflects a growing awareness that the Cowboys’ success won’t come solely from outside help. Instead, the quarterback is challenging his teammates to stabilize their play — no matter who’s on the roster come next week.

2. Pressure Mounts in an Unpredictable Season

The Cowboys’ uneven first half has created an unusual sense of urgency within the organization. Once viewed as NFC contenders, Dallas has instead battled inconsistency, alternating between dominant offensive outings and defensive breakdowns. Prescott, despite solid individual numbers, has faced scrutiny over turnovers and late-game execution. Head coach Mike McCarthy and owner Jerry Jones have each expressed confidence in the team’s core, though both have acknowledged the need for improvement. Jones’ willingness to explore trade options, coupled with the team’s draft capital from the Micah Parsons deal to Green Bay, suggests Dallas could be a player at the deadline — one way or another. Still, Prescott’s leadership remains the team’s anchor. In a locker room that has weathered injuries, trade rumors, and mounting expectations, his calm approach could prove vital. “We’ve got enough talent in this room,” he reiterated earlier this week. “We just have to play to our standard.” That standard — consistency, effort, and execution — will determine whether the Cowboys emerge from this midseason stretch as playoff contenders or drift further into mediocrity. Prescott’s comments indicate a belief that the answer lies not in trades, but in trust.

3. Cowboys Look Ahead to Crucial Stretch

As Dallas prepares for its Week 9 game against Arizona, the timing of the trade deadline adds another layer of intrigue. A win could steady the Cowboys’ season and ease the pressure on the front office; a loss might accelerate discussions about reshaping the roster. Either way, Prescott’s focus remains fixed on performance rather than speculation. The veteran quarterback’s emphasis on accountability — encouraging teammates to “shut that talk up” through results — underscores the mentality Dallas will need to turn its season around. For a franchise constantly under the national spotlight, internal unity may prove more valuable than any midseason acquisition. With a bye week approaching after the Cardinals game, Dallas will have time to reassess its identity. Whether the roster changes or not, Prescott’s leadership message has been delivered: control what you can, play to your strengths, and let the front office handle the rest. *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir=“auto” tabindex="-1" data-turn-id=“request-WEB:beedae55-ac9c-4ab6-afb0-644b7b75b289-10” data-testid=“conversation-turn-22” data-scroll-anchor=“true” data-turn=“assistant”>

As trade rumors swirl, Dak Prescott has called for focus and accountability inside the Cowboys locker room, emphasizing that Dallas’ turnaround must begin with the players already on the field.