There's a strong argument that can be made the Dak Prescott Experience has run its course in the city of Dallas, Texas. Make no mistake, this should not be confused with the small but vocal legion of silly fans who think that Prescott isn't a top-10 quarterback. He absolutely is. However, if the Dallas Cowboys end up missing the playoffs for a third-straight season with a healthy Prescott under center, there may be no other conclusion than it's time to part ways.
This is two-fold. Prescott deserves a chance to lead an organization capable of surrounding him with a championship roster AND the Cowboys need to start from scratch in building a team capable of competing. Yes, this flies in the face of the clear, "remain competitive" edict as owner
Jerry Jones steamrolls through his ninth decade on the planet. But enough may be enough. The Cowboys might need to take the same route as the Detroit Lions did with Matthew Stafford in 2021.
If Dallas is on the outside looking in at this very winnable NFC; they should be listening to offers for Prescott.
The parralels to Stafford are actually pretty spot on.
Despite Stafford's talents, Detroit had finished below .500 for three straight seasons (2018-2020) when they decided to send him off to Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams. They had actually missed the playoffs four consecutive years, going 9-7 in 2017 when there were only two wild-card spots.
The Cowboys, if things don't turn around quickly, stand to miss the playoffs for a third-straight season. And the Cowboys would more than likely be able to reap the type of trade package that the Rams send to the Lions for Stafford.
- Two-time Pro Bowl QB Jared Goff
- 2021 third-round pick
- 2022 first-round pick
- 2023 first-round pick
The Lions made additional trades with the haul, and ended up grabbing WR Jameson Williams, RB Jahmir Gibbs, TE Sam LaPorta and others.
Comparing the first 11 years of each's career, Prescott clears Stafford's volume stats.
Prescott has eight more games to go this season, which will only increase his advantages in the head-to-head comparison. Those nine games are also there for the Cowboys to course correct for the 2026 season. With New York's loss to the Washington Commanders on TNF in Week 10, it means at the minimum Dallas can keep pace in the ugly NFC East race, even with an expected loss to the 7-1 San Francisco 49ers.
An upset victory on Sunday alters the entire outlook for the season and the conversation surrounding the team. Hopefully Dallas can emerge victorious. But with the trade deadline in the rearview mirror for 2026, a loss on Sunday could indicate it's time to start laying out the plan for the future of the organization.
And it may be time to start considering what that looks like post-Prescott.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Offseason trade? Prescott get Stafford treatment if Cowboys miss playoffs?
