The Dallas Cowboys are exploring the possibility of adding a new quarterback to their roster, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are ready to part ways with Dak Prescott anytime soon.
Team’s Plan for Quarterback Development
According to Stephen Jones, the son of Cowboys’ vice president and owner Jerry Jones, the team’s goal is to draft a young quarterback to develop as a backup behind Prescott.
Despite the news, it seems like Prescott’s place in the team isn’t in jeopardy.
“One of our goals is to get a young quarterback in the draft,” Stephen shared with the Dallas Morning News.
“I don’t know where that’s going to be, but we’re looking for someone to develop behind Dak.”
Backup Struggles and the Push for Fresh Talent
In 2024, backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Trey Lance were called upon when Prescott was sidelined with injuries, but neither had significant success in their performances.
The Cowboys had acquired Lance the year before with hopes that he would develop under Prescott’s mentorship, but his play was limited and somewhat underwhelming, completing just 25 of 41 passes last season.
Stephen also pointed out that quarterbacks, even those not expected to start immediately, tend to get drafted higher than anticipated.
He mentioned, “That’s why we gave up a fourth-round pick for Trey,” noting how quarterbacks, even in the lower rounds, often get selected earlier than expected.
Quarterbacks to Watch in the Draft
While quarterbacks like Cam Ward from Miami and Shedeur Sanders from Colorado are expected to go early in the draft, there are other prospects available later on who could provide depth behind Prescott.
Some of the potential late-round options include Jalen Milroe from Alabama, Jaxson Dart from Mississippi, Quinn Ewers from Texas, Riley Leonard from Notre Dame, and Kyle McCord from Syracuse.
Dak Prescott’s Future with the Cowboys
Prescott, who signed a four-year, $240 million extension in September, is set to earn a hefty base salary of $47 million in 2025.
However, his 2024 season was marred by a hamstring injury that kept him out for much of the year, only managing to play in eight games for the 7-10 Cowboys.
New Coaching Staff and Optimism for Next Season
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Prescott will be working under a new head coach—former Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who replaces Mike McCarthy.
Prescott expressed excitement about Schottenheimer’s appointment, saying, “Super excited for him.”
Schottenheimer, the 51-year-old son of the late legendary coach Marty Schottenheimer, previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Jets and also had coaching stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins.
Prescott is confident that Schottenheimer’s old-school approach to coaching will benefit the team.
“I think the best way to exemplify that is he is the son of a legendary coach.
He’s not going to take anything about this game lightly,” Prescott explained, praising Schottenheimer’s strong work ethic and respect for the game.
Looking Ahead
As the Cowboys continue to evaluate their quarterback options for the future, it remains clear that Dak Prescott will still play a major role for the team, despite the growing focus on finding his backup.
Fans will be keeping a close eye on how the team navigates its quarterback development strategy and how Prescott’s performance under the new coaching staff will unfold.