The conversation surrounding Dak Prescott and his future with the Dallas Cowboys has been hot lately. With the team and player not yet agreeing on a new deal, there have been far more rumblings about the possibility of this being Prescott’s last season in Dallas.
With so much uncertainty floating around, one NFL analyst broached the idea of the Cowboys taking another high-profile to be their QB of the future next season. However, this one hails from the college ranks: Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders.
Shedeur Sanders To Replace Dak Prescott in 2025?
On the latest episode of ESPN’s First Take, the panel discussed the QBs expected to get drafted in the upcoming NFL Draft.
However, that conversation spurred former NFL wide receiver and current NFL analyst Harry Douglas to flip the conversation on its head and take a long-range look at what may happen in the 2025 NFL Draft and how it could affect Prescott and the Cowboys.
“Molly [Qerim], let me shake things up a little bit,” Douglas started. “Because I know we’re talking about the 2024 NFL Draft, but let’s move on to the 2025 NFL Draft because I know one thing about Coach Prime: He ain’t hard to find, baby.
“[Deion] just recently said he may pull an Eli [Manning] and that there is specific destinations that he may want Shedeur Sanders to be able to go. And what if Jerry Jones in 2025 says, ‘You know what, I’m just going to jump everybody, and I am going to leverage what I need to leverage to go get Shedeur Sanders, ladies and gentlemen.’ Coach Prime ain’t hard to find.”
The idea of the Cowboys moving on from Prescott has been discussed a lot since the season ended, and with the latest reports of no movement on the contract front, it has only intensified.
What Douglas suggested can’t and won’t come to fruition until a year from now at the earliest. Without the benefit of knowing how the season will unfold, and if the Cowboys and Prescott ultimately do agree, for the time being, it remains a fun what-if.
There is no question that 2024 will be a pivotal year for the Cowboys, and in many ways, it could end up being a transitional one as well. With a lot of heat on the team to finally get over the hump and compete for a Super Bowl title, this could be a year that changes everything for Prescott and the team if they once again fall short.
Where Does Sanders Rank in the 2025 NFL Draft?
There will be a lot of conversation about next year’s QB class as it looks to be a star-studded group of signal callers. Shedeur Sanders looks to be near the top for most of the early rankings, and Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings has Sanders coming in at No. 2 in the class.
“The Buffaloes didn’t meet expectations after a hot start in 2023, but Sanders held up on his end, despite having very little help from his offensive line. Over 12 games, Sanders completed 298 of 430 attempts for 3,230 yards, 27 TDs, and just three INTs.”
“Sanders’ lack of clean pockets made him skittish with his mechanics down the stretch at times, but with his smooth athleticism, crisp accuracy and touch, and easy arm talent, Sanders has drawn comparisons to Seahawks Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith.”
How it all shakes out remains to be seen with a full season ahead of us to watch Sanders’ stock either rise or fall. As it stands now, Sanders looks to be at the top of his class.
Prescott’s Contract Details
The main question regarding Prescott and his standing with the Cowboys mostly revolves around his contract. The impact it has on the Cowboys right now is significant.
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According to Spotrac, Prescott’s base salary in 2024 is $29 million while carrying a cap hit of just north of $55 million. The dead cap that he carries is north of $66 million and is a clear reason why the Cowboys are being cautious about their next move with the QB.
The Cowboys could restructure his deal, but that would only kick the can further down the road — by doing nothing now, it straps them in the present day. It’s not a clean and easy situation for the Cowboys right now and is part of the reason of why there is so much discussion around his standing with the club.