Dak Prescott Set to Play out Contract Year: What It Means, Plus Five Early 2025 Landing Spots for Cowboys QB

Actions speak louder than words, they say, and the business of the NFL is no exception. Especially when it comes to quarterbacks.

Take these two recent examples: The Dallas Cowboys told us they desired Dak Prescott‘s return. And the Minnesota Vikings told us they were committed to seeing more from Kirk Cousins.

Now it’s the Cowboys’ turn. Just weeks ago, ninth-year veteran Dak Prescott all but guaranteed he’d land a new long-term deal ahead of the 2024 season.

Apparently not. While there’s a lot of time between now and September, NFL Media reported Tuesday that Prescott and the Cowboys are in fact on the same page — except with the understanding the quarterback is on track to play out his current contract in 2024.

What does this mean? For now, nothing. Prescott is locked up through 2024, and his current deal includes a no-trade clause.

The Cowboys, at least for the time being, appear content to let Prescott do as coach Mike McCarthy (and predecessor Jason Garrett) have so often been forced to do under owner Jerry Jones: perform under the threat and/or reality of dwindling job security.

Arizona Cardinals are publicly and financially committed to Kyler Murray, who’s still just 26. But there remain real questions here: Murray has missed multiple games due to injury in three straight seasons, and even when healthy, he’s struggled to make substantial leaps as a passer.

They would no doubt prefer to secure a future face of the franchise in the 2024 NFL Draft, but picking No. 12 overall means a trade up for a top prospect could be necessary, as coach Sean Payton recently admitted.

Seattle clearly went for new backup Dak Prescott because of his long-term upside, knowing incumbent No. 1 Geno Smith may or may not stick around for the long haul.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams QB, re-entrenched himself as a worthy starter with a resurgent 2023, but he’ll be 37 after the 2024 season, and he already admitted he’s pondered retirement amid an injury-riddled stage of his career.

The cap-manipulating New Orleans Saints, with pressure on current quarterback Derek Carr to live up to his $150 million deal, might consider Prescott as a proven replacement if needed.

The best part: This would represent a homecoming for Prescott, who was born and raised in the state of Louisiana, and might also prefer the NFC South’s path to the playoffs.