Terrell Owens says Dak Prescott could thrive away from Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys

Terrell Owens believes Dak Prescott could thrive outside the Dallas Cowboys , where the pressure surrounding the team can be as demanding as the challenge of winning games.

His comments come after the team opened the 2026 NFL season with a 28-20 loss to the New York Giants , the team that finished fourth in the NFC East less than 12 months ago.

And when asked whether Prescott could succeed with another franchise, Owens replied with confidence.

“I think so, Owens told the Get To The Point show. “Again, when you play with the Dallas Cowboys, there’s so many expectations. Obviously, historic franchise. I don’t know the last time they won a Super Bowl.”

Owens also noted that Dallas has endured seasons when expectations were high, but the results fell short and believes that unless they improve their time of possession allowed, then it could be a difficult year.

Prescott struggles in Week 1 loss to New York Giants

Prescott finished the opener with 175 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception but that is partially due to the fact that his star receivers also had an uneven afternoon.

George Pickens dropped two important passes, including one that preceded the interception, while CeeDee Lamb dropped three to result in a difficult start for an offense that is backed as a Super Bowl contender.

But away from offensive struggles, the defense remains the larger concern as Dallas ranked last in the league defensively in the 2025 NFL season below even the 3-14 Las Vegas Raiders , and its Week 1 showing offered little reassurance.

Despite the arrival of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker and additions to the roster, the Cowboys blitzed at the league’s seventh-highest rate but ranked 21st in pressure rate against the Giants .

The defense recorded two sacks on Jaxson Dart , one credited to rookie safety Caleb Downs , while allowing New York to gain 394 yards as Dart threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

The Giants controlled the ball for much of the game and the result left Dallas facing familiar questions about whether its defense can support Prescott consistently.

“It sucks to lose, it damn sure sucks to lose the first one, to this team,” Prescott said. “A division game, but still optimistic.

“That doesn’t change our goals, that doesn’t change how we feel about our team. As I said, credit to those guys. They beat us.”

Prescott and the Cowboys now turn to the Washington Commanders on September 20, and Dallas faces immediate task to find answers on both sides of the ball in another NFC East match-up.