ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is back in peak form — and this time, he’s turning his trademark fire toward the Dallas Cowboys.
During Monday’s First Take, Smith was asked whether he believes the Cowboys have what it takes to win the NFC East. His answer? A resounding, emphatic “Hell no, I don’t believe that for one second!”
It’s classic Stephen A. — bold, loud, and unapologetically anti-Cowboys — yet his tone shifted when it came to Dak Prescott. Surprisingly, Smith offered one of his most generous praises yet for the star quarterback.
“Dak Prescott right now is a leading candidate for league MVP,” Smith said. “Seventy-one percent completion, 270 yards a game, 13 touchdowns, no interceptions, a passer rating of 128 over his last four games — he’s been sensational. No doubt about it.”
It was a rare moment of respect from one of Prescott’s toughest critics. Still, Smith wasn’t backing down from his larger point — that the Cowboys, despite Prescott’s brilliance, are still not trustworthy when it matters most.
“Every year, y’all get our hopes up, and every year, you break your own hearts,” he added, smirking. “Until they beat Philly or make some noise in January, I’m not buying a damn thing.”
Cowboys fans, of course, wasted no time firing back online. Social media exploded with posts defending the team’s current form, pointing out that Dallas has been dominating opponents and boasting one of the top defenses in the league.
One fan replied, “If Dak keeps playing like this, even Stephen A. will have to wear a Cowboys jersey on air.”
Even Smith’s co-hosts, Michael Irvin and Molly Qerim, couldn’t hold back laughter as he delivered his trademark rant, complete with hand gestures, dramatic pauses, and that infamous grin.
Despite his skepticism, it’s clear Smith recognizes that something is clicking in Dallas. Dak Prescott is playing arguably the best football of his career, and the Cowboys — love them or hate them — are forcing everyone, even Stephen A., to take notice.
For now, though, the First Take host made one thing perfectly clear:
“Dak’s balling — but the Cowboys? Nah. Not yet.”

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