If you walk into any sports bar in North Texas and ask about the guy under center, you're going to get an earful. Honestly, it’s the most scrutinized job in American sports. More than being the mayor of New York or even the lead singer of a stadium rock band. So, let’s get the easy part out of the way first.
Dak Prescott is the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.
He isn't just the starter; he’s the franchise. As we move into the early months of 2026, Dak remains the undisputed leader of a team that has seen its fair share of "Super Bowl or bust" hype—most of which, let’s be real, usually ends in heartbreak. But despite the noise, the jersey you’ll see most at AT&T Stadium still has that number 4 on the back.
The State of the Quarterback Position in Dallas
It’s been a wild ride lately. Coming off the 2025 season, Dak has basically rewritten the record books for this team. He officially passed Tony Romo as the franchise's all-time passing leader, which is kind of a big deal when you consider the legends who have played in that silver and blue.
Here is the current reality of the Cowboys' QB room:
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- The Starter: Dak Prescott.
- The Backup: Joe Milton III.
- The Project: The Cowboys are always looking, but for now, it's Milton's raw arm talent behind Dak.
Dak finished the 2025 campaign with some pretty gaudy numbers. We’re talking over 4,500 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He was even in the MVP conversation for a good chunk of the year. Yet, the team finished 7-9-1. That’s the Cowboys in a nutshell, right? Elite individual play often gets swallowed up by a defense that occasionally forgets how to stop a nosebleed.
Why the 2026 Season is Different
There’s a lot of chatter right now about trades. You might have seen rumors floating around about the New York Jets or some other QB-hungry team trying to lure Dak away. It makes for great Twitter fodder, but the contract situation makes a move almost impossible.
Dak is currently playing under a massive four-year, $240 million extension. In 2026, his cap hit is north of $70 million. You don't just "trade" that over a cup of coffee. Jerry Jones has been very vocal lately—straight up telling 105.3 The Fan that he is "very pleased" with Dak.
Basically, unless the world flips upside down, Dak isn't going anywhere.
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The Joe Milton III Factor
Let's talk about the backup for a second because Joe Milton III is a fascinating name. Dallas picked him up after he had a stint with the Patriots, and he’s essentially the polar opposite of Dak. While Dak is the "old man football" guy—reading defenses, changing plays at the line, being a cerebral assassin—Milton is pure physical chaos. He can throw a ball through a brick wall.
During the 2025 season finale against the New York Giants, we actually got to see Milton play the second half. It wasn't perfect. He went 7-of-13 for 73 yards and a pick, but he also ran for 43 yards. He gives the Cowboys a different look, but nobody in that building thinks he’s ready to take the throne from Prescott just yet.
What Most People Get Wrong About Dak
People love to blame the QB for everything. If the kicker misses or the left tackle gets a holding penalty, somehow it's Dak's fault. But if you look at the 2025 tape, Dak was actually carrying the team.
The biggest misconception is that he’s "past his prime." He’s in Year 11 now, but because of how he trains, he’s actually playing some of his most efficient football. He’s not running as much as he did in 2016, but his "mental command"—his ability to see a blitz before it happens—is at an all-time high.
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- Accuracy: Still hovering around that 67% completion mark.
- Health: Aside from a minor hamstring scare in 2024, he’s been remarkably durable.
- Leadership: Ask anyone in that locker room; he's the alpha.
The Road Ahead in 2026
The Cowboys are currently sitting with the No. 12 pick in the upcoming draft. There’s a lot of pressure to fix the defense and maybe find another weapon for Dak, especially with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb needing help on the outside.
Jerry Jones is 83. He’s desperate. He’s looking at 2026 as a legacy year. The plan isn't to rebuild the quarterback position; it's to build such a massive fortress around Dak that he doesn't have to be perfect for them to win.
Whether that actually works? Well, that’s why we watch.
Actionable Insights for Cowboys Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the QB situation in Dallas this offseason, keep your eyes on these three things:
- Contract Restructuring: Watch for the Cowboys to convert some of Dak’s 2026 salary into a signing bonus. This is the "Jerry Special." It frees up about $30 million in cap space so they can actually sign some defenders.
- The Backup Battle: See if Dallas brings in a veteran to compete with Joe Milton III. If they don't, it shows they are incredibly high on Milton's development.
- Draft Strategy: If they use that 12th pick on an offensive lineman or a receiver, they are doubling down on the "Win with Dak" window.
The "Who is the QB for the Dallas Cowboys" question has a simple answer today, but the drama surrounding that answer is what keeps the NFL world spinning. Dak Prescott is the man in the arena, for better or worse, as the Cowboys hunt for that elusive championship in 2026.