And not in a way that suggests the team is rushing to reach an agreement with Prescott. No, the most recent round of media reflections on the Dak fiasco is more concerned with accepting what many considered an unthinkable notion only a few months ago: Dak Prescott leaving the Cowboys and entering free agency.
We can hypothesise about where he will end up after that happens. But, in the meanwhile, the big question these days is what will happen to the Cowboys’ quarterback position if they let Prescott go.
There’s Trey Lance. There is a draft. However, if Prescott is released, the Cowboys will almost certainly attempt to sign a proven veteran.
Russell Wilson Was a ‘Disaster’ in Denver
Most people in and around the NFL are familiar with the Russell Wilson situation. He negotiated his way out of Seattle, with the Broncos offering the Seahawks a king’s ransom for the right to hire Wilson and pay him $242 million. Within two years and two coaches, the Broncos were fed up with Wilson’s experience and dismissed him, despite having to swallow a record $85 million in lost revenue.
The Ringer summed up Wilson’s time in Denver with the headline, “The Broncos’ Russell Wilson Era Was a Disaster.” What’s next for both the team and the quarterback?”
But, if Lance and a draftee do not work out in 2025, Wilson could well be the best option for Dallas.
As BtB wrote: “Going with a veteran to replace Prescott is probably the most unlikely and least desired option for the Cowboys. Going this route would mean the Trey Lance trade/experiment failed and for whatever reason they didn’t come away with their future QB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft either. This would be a tough pill to swallow for a variety of reasons, but there could be a stopgap player available via free agency to keep them competitive.”
Cowboys Options After Dak Prescott Might Not Be so Bad
Again, all of this is reliant on Prescott and the Cowboys failing to reach an agreement on a new contract, and there has been no indication that progress has been made. However, this can alter very quickly.
And, while Wilson-as-a-Cowboy may appear deflating at first glance, keep in mind that Wilson was not terrible in 2023—he threw for 3,070 yards in 15 games, with a 66.4% completion rate and 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions, all with a so-so offence around him and a coach who did little to hide his dislike for Wilson.
Wilson got a PFF grade of 77.5, which was not particularly high but placed 15th among quarterbacks with at least 12 starts. The Broncos finished 7-8 under Wilson, despite a defence that rated 31st in PFF measures.
All hope was not lost. Keep in mind that by 2025, Wilson will have played a year in Pittsburgh and will have demonstrated whether he is a recoverable quarterback in the NFL or not worth the effort.
Other choices whose worth may rise in the coming months include Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields.
It’s frightening to imagine a Cowboys future at quarterback in a post-Dak era. However, if it occurs, it may not be as difficult as we initially anticipate.