Dak Prescott Aims to Extend NFL Career into His 40s

FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott, the 32-year-old quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, expressed his ambition to continue playing in the NFL into his 40s during a recent press conference.

“Forties would be a good number,” Prescott said, reflecting on his career as he enters his tenth season. He acknowledged the physical challenges he’s faced, including a fractured ankle in 2020, a broken thumb in 2022, and a hamstring injury in 2024. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about his longevity in the sport.

Prescott is currently signed with the Cowboys through 2028, when he will be 35. He admitted that his perspective on playing into his 40s has changed since he entered the league in 2016. He previously admired quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Drew Brees for their lengthy careers but never considered it for himself.

“I can see it more realistically now,” he noted. “The fun and peace this game still gives me after ten years is hard to replace. As long as I can perform at a level I’m proud of, I’ll keep trying to play.” Prescott has made significant strides in his career; he is just 150 passing yards shy of surpassing Troy Aikman for second in Cowboys history.

In terms of victories, he needs one more to break a tie with Tony Romo for third in the franchise’s history, currently sitting at 78 wins. Aikman and Roger Staubach lead the list with 94 and 85 wins, respectively. Earlier this season, Prescott became the all-time leader in completions for the team, surpassing Aikman.

Despite his achievements, Prescott emphasized that he doesn’t keep track of his statistics. “I couldn’t tell you. I think if anything it’s a testament to how long I’ve been playing, and that’s what I’m thankful for: still playing the game that I love,” he said.

As the season progresses, Prescott’s performance will be crucial in determining how realistic his goal of playing into his 40s may become.