Despite the fact that we are well into playoff football, with the both the AFC and NFC Championship games less than 24 hours away, and the Super Bowl on the horizon, we have very much entered into mock trade/trade proposal season.

Dak Prescott’s Future Uncertain In Dallas?

Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy looks on against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

After a wild, and perhaps not fully convincing trade sent Tua Tagovailoa to the Denver Broncos last week, this week the trade proposal rumor mills have gone a step further.

Dak Prescott, after another disappointing display in the playoffs, this time in the loss hosting the 7th seed Green Bay Packers, which marked the first time in history that the 7th seed had won a playoff game, does not have his future quite as certain as he might have hoped, especially after owner Jerry Jones threw his support behind head coach, Mike McCarthy.

Could The Dallas Cowboys Seek Out A New Quarterback For America’s Team?

Dec 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks on in the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Whilst there is no question that Prescott has performed excellently in the regular season, where the Cowboys have won 12 games in 3 consecutive years, and even went unbeaten at home in 2023, Dak’s post-season’s record does not exactly speak for itself.

With a 2-5 record in the single elimination tournament; having never proceeded to the Conference Championship game, Dallas ownership may start to pivot from their previously fiercely pro-Dak stance, where just this year he was being talked about as their QB for the ensuing decade.

Now, with one year left on his deal at a massive $59 million cap hit, in addition to $36 million dead cap in the ‘void’ 2025 year – something that will naturally get pushed down the line if Prescott does end up signing an extension, it does not seem 100% certain that Prescott will remain as the Cowboys quarterback beyond his current contract.

What Trade Could Send Dak Prescott Out Of Dallas?

Nov 11, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) rushes for a touchdown against the Florida Gators during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

So, whilst it is likely that Dallas opts to keep Prescott for another season with McCarthy to give the pair one final shot, it is also quite possible that Jerry and Stephen Jones decide that Dak is ultimately not sturdy enough in the playoffs and contimplate starting afresh with a young, rookie quarterback in the this year’s draft.

In this scenario between the Chicago Bears, the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys, each team receives the following:

New England Patriots:1st Overall Pick in 2024

Dallas Cowboys: 9th overall pick in the 2024 Draft (from CHI), 2025 1st Round Pick (from NE), 2025 3rd Round Pick (from CHI).

Chicago Bears: Dak Prescott, 3rd overall pick in 2024 Draft , 68th pick in 2024, 2025 4th Round pick (all from NE).

So the logic here is essentially that the Bears would shift current quarterback, Justin Fields, and take a proven commodity in Dak Prescott over the risk of a rookie QB.

New England, on the other hand, move up to take Caleb Williams (presumably) 1st overall, and the Cowboys then select, according to this analyst’s draft, Jayden Daniels, Heisman winning QB from LSU, 9th overall.

How Likely Is This Scenario To Actually Play Out

Justin Fields could miss some time with a dislocated thumb. Ashlee Rezin/Sun Times

Realistically, if there is a big 3-team trade involving a quarterback and the Chicago Bears, then in all likelihood Justin Fields will probably be involved.

In addition, whilst it is possible that the Bears would covet Prescott, they are still likely deterred by Dak’s enormous cap hit in 2024, and will relish being able to use their high draft capital to draft a rookie QB and hit the reset button.

Also, which person in their right mind thinks that Jayden Daniels will last until the 9th overall pick.

I’d guess at least 4 teams between picks 2-8 will be in play to make a move for him, although if the Cowboys use their later 1st round pick, 24 overall, this could add leverage to help them move up for the highly rated passer, whilst still attaining additional capital in the following year’s draft from New England.

This is certainly and interesting one to think about, and whilst ultimately unlikely, as furthered by complications concerning Dak Prescott’s no trade clause, it is still an interesting thought experiment to think about, and one which next season,

if Prescott and McCarthy do not deliver after the regular season, could rapidly become something much closer to reality.