Jerry Jones has received an encouraging prediction about Dak Prescott ahead of the new NFL season, with the Dallas Cowboys quarterback tipped to challenge for the MVP award.

Prescott has faced persistent criticism over his playoff record and Dallas’ inability to make a deep postseason run, but ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky believes the quarterback could be poised for a huge year.

Orlovsky went as far as putting Prescott ahead of some of the NFL’s biggest names in the MVP conversation.

Dak Prescott gets bold MVP backing

“If I had to pick an MVP right now, I’d probably pick Dak Prescott,” Orlovsky said.

That immediately puts Prescott in rare company given the competition he would face from Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and other elite quarterbacks.

Orlovsky believes Dallas has enough offensive talent around Prescott to give him a legitimate chance.

“I think this offense is going to be really good,” he said. “I think Dak is going to play really well.”

For Jones, that kind of public backing will be welcome after another offseason filled with questions about whether Prescott can finally turn strong regular season production into something more significant.

Cowboys quarterback still has plenty to prove

Prescott has already produced MVP-caliber stretches during his career, but the biggest criticism has always come when the playoffs begin.

That hasn’t stopped Orlovsky from backing him ahead of Mahomes and Allen in his early projection.

“I think Dallas is going to score a ton of points,” Orlovsky added.

The Cowboys will need that optimism to translate into results if Prescott is going to remain in the MVP conversation throughout the season.

Jones has continued to put his faith in the quarterback despite the scrutiny surrounding both Prescott and the franchise.

An MVP campaign would go a long way toward changing the tone around Dallas, particularly if it came alongside another playoff appearance.

Prescott won’t silence every critic simply by putting up big regular-season numbers.

But if Orlovsky’s prediction proves accurate, Jones may finally have the kind of answer he has been waiting for after years of debate over whether Prescott is truly capable of leading the Cowboys back among the NFL’s elite.