It's not likely that the Dallas Cowboys are going to trade quarterback Dak Prescott before next Tuesday's trade deadline, but there is math that works
. The Cowboys would have an inflated salary cap in 2027, but trading away a franchise QB is a roster reset in the first place. If Jerry Jones and the front office did find themselves asking Prescott to waive his no-trade clause, there's a handful of teams that could use a quarterback upgrade for this season, and in the future.The cost to acquire Prescott is higher than two first-round picks. A third first rounder, a star player, or multiple Day 2 and Day 3 picks would have to be added, but Prescott is very capable of having a Matthew Stafford-like impact in a new city. The weight of being the face
of this partiuclar franchise is heavy; unloading that could lead to amazing results in a new location.
But where?
Looking at teams which could use an upgrade to the QB position this season, there are five candidates that bubble to the top of the list.
Baltimore Ravens (4-4)
This one is the most fun. The Ravens have been ravaged by quarterback injuries. Lamar Jackson's thumb injury requires surgery that will keep him out until well into December. He might not be able to make it back. Their backup, Snoop Huntley was also injured in the game and already proved he wasn't capable of leading the team. Even their third-string QB was hurt in their Week 8 loss.
The Ravens are already between a rock and a hardplace when it comes to Lamar Jackson's cap hit in 2027 of $84 million and Jackson didn't seem interested in signing an extension this past offseason. Perhaps they look to pivot in a move that would send ripples out into the Van Allen Belts.
Minnesota Vikings (6-1)
The Vikings made the wrong choice when it came to their QB situation over the last couple of seasons. They rehabilitated Sam Darnold, then let him walk in favor of JJ McCarthy. They then became disinterested in McCarthy and turned the reigns over to Kyler Murray. They've been left with a pitiful offense that can't help their league-best defense led by DC Brian Flores.
Adding Prescott would immediately restore the power of Justin Jefferson and make the Vikings the Super Bowl contenders their 6-1 record should represent (but currently doesn't).
Cleveland Browns (5-3)
The Browns have been a shocking success story so far in the 2026 season, but they've had to weather some miserable QB play from Deshaun Watson. Watson has been elite down the stretch of games, but he hasn't been good for most of them and the Browns have finally reached the final year of his disastrous contract.
Prescott would be an upgrade, and matching him with their two young WRs in KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston would be a jackpot for both receivers. Todd Monken seems to be an exciting hire for their organization and getting him a QB the caliber of Prescott would invigorate a really rabid fanbase that has searched for QB stability for decades.
The Browns have a strong defense that could help provide a foundation to balance things out for the first time in a long time for Prescott's burden.
Atlanta Falcons (3-5)
Now this one gets super interesting. The Falcons have fluctuated between a team that's fun to watch and one that makes people want to claw their eyes out. Michael Penix, Jr. might one day be a legitimate star in the league, but no one should pretend that Prescott wouldn't be an immediate upgrade.
He'd land in a situation with Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts - that offense would be elite and the Falcons have the middle-of-the-road defense Cowboys fans have dreamed of pairing with Prescott and their offense.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Prescott Trade Partners? Ravens, Vikings among teams that should call Cowboys
