If you were watching the Dallas Cowboys back in November, you probably remember that specific, sinking feeling in your gut. It was Week 9. Atlanta. Dak Prescott drops back, throws a pass, and then he's limping. Not just a "walk it off" limp, but the kind where you know the season just evaporated.
The story of the Dallas Cowboys quarterback 2024 situation isn't just about one guy getting hurt, though. It’s a wild saga of record-breaking money, a gruesome injury that sounds like it belongs in a medical textbook, and a backup carousel that left fans wondering why they even bothered tuning in on Sundays. Honestly, it was a mess.
The $240 Million Handshake
Before the wheels fell off, the year actually started with a massive bang. Hours before the season opener against Cleveland, Jerry Jones finally opened the checkbook.
We’re talking about a four-year, $240 million extension.
That deal made Dak Prescott the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time, averaging $60 million a year. It was supposed to end the "is he the guy?" debate once and for all. He walked onto the field in Week 1 with $231 million in guarantees and promptly helped dismantle the Browns.
Everything looked great. Then, the reality of the 2024 roster started to bite.
That Hamstring Injury Was Way Worse Than You Think
Most people hear "hamstring strain" and think of a guy missing two weeks. What happened to Dak was a "partial avulsion." Basically, the tendon actually started pulling away from the bone.
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Think about that.
The injury happened in the fourth quarter against the Falcons. Initially, the team called it a strain. Then the MRIs came back, and the news got dark. Two of the three tendons connecting his hamstring to his pelvis were torn. The third one was barely hanging on. Dak even mentioned later that just walking around during that first week was making it worse.
He eventually flew to New York for surgery in mid-November. Just like that, the $240 million man was done for the year.
By the Numbers: Dak's Shortened 2024
- Games Played: 8
- Passing Yards: 1,978
- Touchdowns: 11
- Interceptions: 8
- Record: 3-5
It wasn't his best football even before the injury. He was forcing throws to CeeDee Lamb because, frankly, who else was he going to throw to? The run game was non-existent, and the defense was giving up points like they were going out of style.
The Cooper Rush and Trey Lance Experiment
Once Dak went down, the keys to the Ferrari—which was looking more like a 2004 Honda Civic at that point—were handed to Cooper Rush.
Look, we all love the Cooper Rush story from a couple of years ago when he went 5-0. But 2024 was different. He didn't have the same magic. The offense looked stagnant. He finished the season with 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns, but it felt like pulling teeth to get the ball downfield.
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Then there was the Trey Lance factor.
Fans were screaming for Lance. "We gave up a fourth-round pick for him, let's see what he has!" Well, they saw a little bit. He got some snaps toward the end of the year, finishing with 266 passing yards and one interception on 41 attempts. He showed flashes with his legs—including a few nice scrambles—but he never truly challenged Rush for the starting spot while Dak was out. It’s kinda wild that a former number three overall pick couldn't seize the opportunity in a lost season.
Why the Season Collapsed
You can't blame it all on the Dallas Cowboys quarterback 2024 injuries. The team finished 7-10.
Mike McCarthy was a "lame duck" coach all year, and the vibes were just off from the jump. Mike Zimmer’s defense was a sieve, ranking near the bottom of the league in points allowed (27.5 per game). When your defense is giving up nearly 30 points, even a healthy Dak Prescott has to play perfect football to win.
And they weren't winning at home. AT&T Stadium used to be a fortress. In 2024, it was more like a bouncy house for opposing offenses. They got blown out by the Saints, the Lions, and the Eagles. It was embarrassing.
What Most People Get Wrong About 2024
A lot of folks think the season ended because Dak got hurt.
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That's a half-truth.
The Cowboys were 3-5 when he went down. They were already sinking. The injury just accelerated the inevitable. The roster was top-heavy and thin. When you pay a quarterback $60 million, you have to hit on your draft picks, and the 2024 class—outside of maybe Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe—didn't provide enough immediate help.
The Quarterback Room Stats
| Player | Pass Yards | TDs | INTs | Completion % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dak Prescott | 1,978 | 11 | 8 | 64.7% |
| Cooper Rush | 1,844 | 12 | 5 | 60.7% |
| Trey Lance | 266 | 0 | 1 | 61.0% |
Looking Toward the 2025 Reset
As of early 2026, we know that Dak is back and "feeling young again," as he put it during OTAs. The surgery was a success. He’s been working with his personal PT and the Cowboys' training staff to get that explosion back in his lower body.
But the landscape has changed. Mike McCarthy is gone. Brian Schottenheimer is running things. The "Slim Reaper" version of Dak (he actually lost some weight during rehab) is trying to prove that the 2024 nightmare was a fluke.
If you're looking for actionable insights on where this team goes next, keep an eye on these specific areas:
- The Contract Cap Hit: Dak’s cap hit balloons to over $70 million in 2026. The front office has to find ways to surround him with cheap, rookie-contract talent.
- Trey Lance's Future: He's a free agent. Does anyone take a flyer on him, or does he remain a "what if" story in Dallas?
- Offensive Identity: Without a real threat at running back in 2024 (sorry, Zeke and Rico), the QBs were hung out to dry. The 2025 draft must address the backfield.
The 2024 season was a harsh lesson in NFL fragile-ness. One bad step in Atlanta turned a mediocre season into a top-10 draft pick. For Dak, the pressure isn't just about being healthy anymore; it's about justifying that $240 million price tag in a post-McCarthy era.
To stay ahead of the curve, monitor the Cowboys' 2026 draft strategy. If they don't take a high-upside RB or another tackle early, they're repeating the same mistakes that made the 2024 quarterback situation so dire. Check the official injury reports during the 2026 preseason to ensure Dak’s "plant leg" is showing 100% stability in deep-ball situations.