So, you’re looking for Dak Prescott. It’s early 2026, the NFL playoffs are heating up, and if you're a Dallas Cowboys fan, you might be wondering why your QB isn't on your TV screen right now.
Honestly, it’s been a weird year in Arlington.
If you just checked the scores from the final week of the 2025 season, you probably saw a name you didn't expect: Joe Milton. Yeah, Dak actually sat out the second half of the season finale against the New York Giants. But don’t freak out—he wasn’t hurt. The Cowboys were already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs with a 7-9-1 record. Basically, management decided to wrap Dak in bubble wrap and see what the backup could do while they secured a better draft pick.
Right now, Dak is exactly where most veteran QBs are in mid-January when they aren't playing in the divisional round. He’s home. He’s likely already started his offseason training program because, as he told reporters recently, he started thinking about the 2026 season "five minutes" after the 2025 campaign ended.
Where is Dak Prescott Playing in 2026?
Despite all the talk radio drama, Dak Prescott is still the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. He isn't going anywhere. Jerry Jones has been pretty vocal about this, lately telling anyone with a microphone that he’s "very pleased" with Dak.
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The contract situation is what usually confuses people. Last year, the Cowboys restructured his massive $240 million deal to save about $37 million in cap space. That move basically tied the knot even tighter between the team and the player. For the 2026 season, Dak is scheduled to count for a whopping $74 million against the salary cap.
You don't pay a guy that much to sit on the bench or play for another team.
A Quick Reality Check on the 2025 Season
- The Stats: Dak actually had a monster year statistically. He threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns.
- The Record: Despite those numbers, the team went 7-9-1.
- The Culprit: Most experts, including DallasCowboys.com’s Nick Eatman, point to a defense that fell apart after Micah Parsons was traded to Green Bay and injuries gutted the secondary.
It's sorta wild to think about. You have a quarterback putting up Pro Bowl numbers (his fourth selection, by the way) and the team still can't break .500. It’s the classic Dallas dilemma.
Is Dak Still "The Guy"?
The debate in Texas never stops. Some fans are exhausted. They see younger guys like C.J. Stroud or Jordan Love making deep playoff runs and wonder if Dak's window has slammed shut.
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But here’s the thing: Dak just turned 32. In "quarterback years," that’s actually the prime. Look at Matthew Stafford or Aaron Rodgers; they were winning big games well into their late 30s. The Cowboys' front office seems to think Dak's "mental game"—his ability to read defenses and change plays at the line—will carry him for another four or five years.
He’s currently healthy, too. That’s the big win. After that nasty hamstring injury in 2024, he played all 17 games in 2025. That’s the first time he’s been fully available for a whole season in a long time.
Why People Are Searching for Him
Usually, when someone asks "where is Dak Prescott," they are looking for one of three things:
- Is he injured? No. He’s 100% healthy right now.
- Was he benched? Only for the second half of a meaningless Week 18 game to avoid a freak injury.
- Did he get traded? No, and his contract makes a trade almost impossible because of the "dead money" the Cowboys would have to pay.
What's Next for No. 4?
The 2026 offseason is going to be a total reset in Dallas. Jerry Jones is under massive pressure to fix the defense because he knows he's wasting Dak’s best years. We’re talking about potentially 17 players being cut or let go in free agency to make room for a "reboot."
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Dak has already vowed that the team "won't be in this spot" again next year. He’s taking a more active role in the front office conversations, too. He’s basically telling the coaches and the owners what he needs to win.
If you want to keep tabs on him over the next few months, look for him at the Pro Bowl or working out with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens (who had a breakout year, by the way). He’s focused on 2026.
The Cowboys are $34 million over the cap right now, so expect some more "financial gymnastics" with Dak's contract soon. They might extend him further just to lower that $74 million cap hit for this coming season.
Next Steps for Fans:
Keep an eye on the coaching staff changes this February. While Dak is safe, the defensive coordinator spot and several position coaches are on the hot seat. If the Cowboys don't bring in a heavy-hitter to fix the defense, it won't matter how many yards Dak throws for in 2026. You should also watch the 2026 NFL Draft order; since Dallas missed the playoffs, they’ll have a top-15 pick to potentially grab a blue-chip protector for Dak or a replacement for Micah Parsons.