The Dallas Cowboys are always determined to stay relevant, and one of the easiest ways to do so is by having a big-name quarterback.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott had an MVP-caliber campaign in 2023, which led to a lucrative payday last offseason. However, an injury-ridden 2024 puts pressure on Prescott to succeed during the 2025 season.
If he fails to do so, the Cowboys may look to cut ties with him, paving the way to select a potential superstar quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys Already Predicted To Select Texas QB Arch Manning
Assuming one of Jerry Jones’ top priorities is remaining in the spotlight, look no further than Texas quarterback Arch Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning.
PFSN’s Kyle Soppe boldly predicts that the Cowboys to lose 12 games next year, opening the door to select Manning in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Dallas will struggle to reach six wins under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Following a 7-10 record in 2024, the team faces several challenges, including limited salary cap space and a reluctance to sign free agents. These issues will likely leave the Cowboys with a high draft pick in 2026, setting the stage for them to target Arch Manning,” Soppe wrote.
“The season could get off to a rocky start, much like in 2024, with a significant holdout from star linebacker Micah Parsons as he negotiates a long-term extension. Parsons could miss most of training camp, similar to CeeDee Lamb, and may not have enough time to familiarize himself with new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ system.”
While Soppe did not specify how Dallas’ front office will move Prescott, his lucrative contract makes it rather obvious he won’t be on the roster in this scenario.
The Cowboys gave Prescott a record four-year, $240 million deal. His average annual value (AAV) is a whopping $60 million, which is $5 million more than the next-closest player. The deal features $231 million in guaranteed money, just beating out Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson for the most ever.
MORE: Bold Predictions for 2025 NFL Season
This new contract takes effect in 2025, as Prescott was playing on the final year of his previous deal (a four-year, $160 million pact) this past season. The deal keeps Prescott with the Cowboys through the 2028 season, but there is a potential out after the 2027 campaign.
Manning has not had a true shot to prove himself as a potential superstar quarterback, but the Cowboys’ failure to meet expectations with Prescott once again could lead to a major shakeup.
Bold prediction? @KyleSoppePFN says that the Cowboys will struggle to win this season, putting them in a position to draft Texas QB Arch Manning and look toward a future without Dak Prescott 👀pic.twitter.com/0vIrixZAi4
— PFSN (@PFN365) February 15, 2025
Throughout his first years at Texans, Manning has thrown 95 pass attempts for 969 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions while also rushing for 115 yards and four touchdowns.
The sophomore put together an eyebrow-raising performance against UTSA after relieving Quinn Ewers in 2024. This included a 67-yard touchdown run, displaying his ability to turn on the jets.
At 6’4″ and weighing 225 pounds, Manning has the ideal physique to play quarterback at the pro level. He also seems to have no issues being a mobile quarterback and making off-platform plays, in contrast to his more measured uncles, Peyton and Eli Manning.
Manning’s raw talent is impressive, and he’ll have a terrific opportunity to prove himself next season at Texas with Ewers entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
Deion Sanders Reveals He Rejected Cowboys HC Job In Part Due To Prescott’s ‘Huge’ Contract
The Cowboys had a tough 2024 season, finishing 7-10 with franchise quarterback Dak Prescott sidelined after only eight games. Prescott suffered a partial avulsion of his right hamstring in Week 9 and underwent surgery later in the season.
On the eve of Week 1, Prescott because the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL in terms of average annual value. The early return on that investment hasn’t paid off for Dallas, with Prescott missing half the season and struggling mightily even when he was healthy.
In the eight games that he played, Prescott led the Cowboys to a 3-5 record and ranked as the 30th-best quarterback in the NFL, according to PFSN’s QB+ metric. His 65.7 (D) grade across his eight starts ranked behind Cleveland Browns QB Jameis Winston (65.7), Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young (67.8), Tennessee Titans QB Mason Rudolph (69.0), and Jacksonville Jaguars QB Mac Jones (69.2) among others.
Prescott has been the guy for Dallas since being drafted in 2016. He’s led the team to five playoff appearances and four division titles in his nine seasons. However, he’s been unable to get through Dallas’ Divisional Round wall and has multiple home Wild Card losses on his résumé.
Dallas is locked into Prescott for the foreseeable future, which played a part in Colorado head coach Deion Sanders pulling his name out of contention for the team’s head coaching job.
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The Colorado head coach spoke with “I AM ATHLETE” host Kayla Nicole during Super Bowl week, and she bluntly asked him, “Why not the Cowboys?”
“I’m not going to coach without my son,” Sanders revealed. “And they have a huge investment in their quarterback. They knew that. I’m not stepping up to that level without my baby.”
Sanders played for the Cowboys from 1995 to 1999, winning Super Bowl 30 after the ’95 season. He’s a legendary player for Dallas but has consistently said he won’t leave Colorado for the NFL unless he’s coaching Shedeur.
Given Coach Prime’s interest in coaching his son in the NFL, it makes sense that Dallas wasn’t a good fit since Prescott’s monster deal is just about to take effect.
It’s unclear if Cowboys owner Jerry Jones seriously considered Sanders throughout the team’s coaching search, but he ultimately decided to promote offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach.