Getty The Dallas Cowboys rumors reveal that the team still plans to sign Dak Prescott to a contract extension.
When discussing Dallas Cowboys rumors, no comment is made more by fans in the Heavy on Cowboys Facebook group than “trade Dak Prescott,” with the team facing numerous obstacles for that to be a reality. The obvious question is: Who would the Cowboys replace Prescott with at quarterback in the unlikely possibility that the franchise did want to move on from their QB1?
No position in sports receives more scrutiny than starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, with the recent history of Tony Romo and now Prescott not exactly being kind to the signal-callers. Prescott has a no-trade clause in his deal that gives him full control over his future even if Dallas pushed a breakup.
The pool of potentially available quarterbacks is limited, but one name does stand out: Kirk Cousins. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback has been popular in NFL trade rumors ahead of the October 31 deadline, but Cousins also possesses a no-trade clause in his deal.
With the Cowboys coming off a bye, it’s a fun thought exercise to explore a hypothetical quarterback swap that, admittedly, is very unlikely to ever take place. The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, the king of the trade machine, often poses the question “who says no” when discussing potential deals.
With that in mind, Prescott for Cousins: Who says no?
Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins Has Earned a Higher Pro Football Focus Grade Than Dallas Cowboys Star Dak Prescott
Let’s pretend both former Pro Bowl stars are open to a change of scenery. Through the first seven weeks, Cousins’ 80.5 grade from Pro Football Focus is higher than Prescott’s 75.8.
Since posting an 83.8 grade in 2021, Prescott has struggled, notching a 72 score for his play in 2022. By comparison, Cousins earned a 77.4 grade for the 2022 season. Through the first seven games, Cousins has thrown for 2,057 yards, 16 touchdowns and 5 interceptions while completing 68.9% of his passes in seven appearances.
Prescott has 1,333 passing yards, 6 touchdowns and 4 interceptions while completing 69.5% of his throws. The Cowboys quarterback has added 19 caries for 85 rushing yards and a touchdown. Prescott’s modest numbers are also a reflection of head coach Mike McCarthy’s play-calling, which has stressed short, quick passes.
Minnesota Vikings Rumors: The Front Office Is Unlikely to Deal Kirk Cousins
“Hello, my friends. We meet again.”
The Kirk Cousins Vikings are alive.
Now, let’s look at the financial comparisons of the two veteran signal-callers. Prescott’s four-year, $160 million contract runs through the 2024 season.
Dallas is on the hook for Prescott’s $29 million base salary and a massive $59.4 million cap hit in 2024. This is why an upcoming contract extension is likely, because the huge cap hit would make it very challenging for the Cowboys to build a complete roster next season.
Cousins is on a one-year, $35 million contract, which is part of the reason the veteran is being mentioned in Vikings trade rumors. The thought process is Minnesota may want to get something in return for Cousins if they are going in a different direction at quarterback in 2024. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that the Vikings were unlikely to move Cousins, a point that is likely irrelevant given the quarterback’s no-trade clause.
“I also was told by team sources that Minnesota is not planning on trading him,” Russini wrote on October 14. “They are always going to take a call, but I’ve had numerous conversations with league sources about the Vikings’ resistance to trading their starter and also the possibility that the team keeps Cousins past this season.”
Dallas Cowboys Rumors: ‘Dak Will Be Our Quarterback,’ Says Stephen Jones
Dak Prescott is single-handedly keeping the Cowboys offense alive right now, what a play from him and finish from Pollard
(via @NFL)
The NFL insider also reported that the Cowboys plan to stick with Prescott and are targeting a potential contract extension this upcoming offseason. Dallas continues to go public with their commitment to Prescott as their future quarterback.
“Cowboys executive Stephen Jones told me while walking out of the Omni Hotel this week, ‘He’s under contract now, but we’d like to do this after the season,'” Russini explained on October 21. “Once the season is over, we will focus on that. Dak will be our quarterback.’”
Trade Verdict: Cowboys Pass on Kirk Cousins & Stick With Dak Prescott
JETTAS GAVE KIRK COUSINS THE SC TOP 10 CHAIN 🔥
In this hypothetical exercise, the Cowboys would have to ask themselves how much of an upgrade (if any) Cousins would be over Prescott. The reality is the addition of Cousins is unlikely to make Dallas substantially better.
If the Cowboys did decide to move on from Prescott, the best option would likely be for Dallas to find his replacement in the draft and build a contending roster around his rookie contract. Dallas also has Trey Lance under contract through 2024.
If Prescott was willing to leave the massive brand that is the Cowboys, the Vikings offer a deeper group of playmakers with Justin Jefferson (when healthy), rookie Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. Prescott’s younger age (30) compared with Cousins (35) could have some appeal to the Minnesota front office, but the Cowboys quarterback’s remaining deal makes a trade less than desirable.
Cowboys fans pushing for the team to move on from Prescott would be wise to remember that many of the top quarterback prospects fail to pan out in the NFL. Dallas needs more from Prescott in big games, but the quarterback also needs improved offensive play-calling and execution for the Cowboys to be a true Super Bowl contender.