Feb. 15, 2026, 5:19 p.m. ET
Although Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is coming off one of his best seasons ever, the Cowboys once again missed the playoffs, and their window may be closing.
At the start of the 2026 season, Prescott will be 33, just three years younger than former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who retired at 36.
Like Romo, Prescott is often injured, and the backup situation is questionable at best. No one felt comfortable or impressed with Joe Milton as the starter if Prescott was injured.
Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones recognized it might have been time for the team to find its next starter and drafted Prescott out of Mississippi State 12 years ago. Is it time for Jones to do the same thing again?
No one is saying that Prescott should be replaced as the starter, far from it, but it would be smart for the team to start planning for its future.
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There are rumors already that the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers are planning for their future in this year’s draft by drafting a quarterback.
This year’s quarterback class may not be the best of all time; however, that might be to the Cowboys’ advantage. Next year’s draft might be loaded with talented quarterbacks who a lot of teams would want and need.
The Cowboys may be able to draft their quarterback of the future in this draft and let them develop, a luxury most teams don’t have. It worked the last time, why not now?