Maybe it’s because the NFL offseason has slowed down, with June and July flying by as we wait for training camp to start. Maybe it’s because Trevor Lawrence consented to a contract extension with the Jaguars. However, it appears that discussions on the Cowboys’ issue with Dak Prescott have been more prevalent recently. And not in a way that gives the impression the franchise is recklessly heading toward a contract with Prescott. No, the most recent wave of media commentary on the Dak situation is more concerned with accepting something many thought was unthinkable only a few months ago: Dak Prescott signing a free agent contract and leaving the Cowboys.
Once that occurs, we might hypothesize as to where he might end up. However, the current idle speculation is what would actually happen to the Cowboys’ quarterback position should they decide to let Prescott leave. Trey Lance is present. The draft is in front of you. But if Prescott were released, it’s also very likely that the Cowboys would want to sign a proven veteran. And the following statement from the Cowboys website “Blogging the Boys” should serve as a reminder of how unappealing Dallas’ options will be in the event that Prescott departs: Although nothing Russell Wilson has done in the last few years suggests his play is on par with Prescott, Wilson is maybe the finest veteran quarterback Dallas could consider to replace Prescott.
Wilson Russell Was Denver a “Disaster”? Most people in and around the NFL are aware of the circumstances surrounding Russell Wilson. Wilson managed to get out of Seattle by scheming the Broncos into paying the Seahawks a king’s ransom in exchange for the ability to hire him and give him $242 million. Despite having to swallow a record $85 million in dead money, the Broncos were tired with Wilson after two years and two coaches. They cut him. The Ringer’s headline, “The Broncos’ Russell Wilson Era Was a Disaster,” perfectly sums up Wilson’s time in Denver. What’s Next for the QB and the Team?
But Wilson might be Dallas’ best alternative if Lance and a draft pick don’t work out in 2025. As BtB stated: “The Cowboys’ most unlikely and least preferred alternative is presumably to go with a veteran quarterback replace Prescott. By choosing this course, it would be assumed that the Trey Lance trade/experiment was a failure and that they also failed to select their future QB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft, for whatever reason. For many reasons, this would be a bitter pill to swallow, but they might be able to retain their competitiveness by signing a free agent who could serve as a stopgap.
Options for Cowboys Following Dak Prescott May Not Be All That Bad Once more, nothing has been accomplished, and everything depends on Prescott and the Cowboys not reaching an agreement on a new contract. However, things can change quickly. Even though Wilson’s initial reaction as a Cowboy seems disheartening, keep in mind that in 15 games in 2023, he passed for 3,070 yards, had a 66.4% completion percentage, 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions, and all of this while playing for a mediocre team under a coach who did little to disguise his disdain for Wilson.
Wilson was ranked 15th among quarterbacks with at least 12 starts despite having a subpar PFF grade of 77.5. Wilson had the Broncos at 7-8 despite their defense ranking 31st according to PFF’s standards. That way, there would still be hope. Remember that by 2025, Wilson will have spent a year in Pittsburgh and will either have proven he is not worth the trouble or he is a quarterback in the NFL who can be salvaged. In the upcoming months, the value of the following choices may also increase: Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Sam Darnold. Imagine a post-Dak world where a quarterback plays for the Cowboys; it’s unsettling. However, if it does occur, it might not be quite as harsh as we first think.