Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy believes star quarterback Dak Prescott can lead the franchise to NFL glory.

Prescott has guided the Cowboys to two playoff appearances in 2016 and 2018, though Dallas missed the postseason in 2019 as coach Jason Garrett lost his job.

Former Green Bay Packers coach McCarthy has since replaced Garrett and he has high hopes for two-time Pro Bowler Prescott.

"I think number one, you just look at what he's done during his time in the league. I think he's been impressive," McCarthy said. "I've been impressed with him since the first time I saw him play live up in Green Bay [in 2016], when they came to Lambeau there.

"First impressions, I think are very important when you see quarterbacks on the field because in-person evaluations, particularly at that position, have always carried more weight as far as how I felt about a player. So I think he's gotten off to a great start. He's built a really good foundation. I'm told he's a tremendous leader.

"Defenses get you to the championship. The quarterbacks win championships. And I definitely think Dak is that quarterback."

Prescott threw for a career-high 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns last season but the 26-year-old's future is still up in the air.

The Cowboys want to sign Prescott to a long-term contract, but they could be forced to utilise the franchise tag if negotiations are unsuccessful.

"Dak is in a business situation right now," McCarthy said. "I've gone through this as a head coach with a number of my players in the past. Like anything, it's just time to be patient and let the business people work out the business matters. 

"That's really where we are as an organisation and that's where Dak is, in a personal fight to get a contract done."