The spotlight on Dak Prescott has never been more intense as the 2025/26 NFL season looms and with the 31-year-old trying to lead the Dallas Cowboys to postseason glory, could he find himself axed from the roster if he fails again?
The veteran quarterback finds himself at a critical crossroads, entering the second year of a massive $240 million contract that pays him a league-high $60 million annually.
Despite his consistent regular-season performances, Prescott’s 2-5 playoff record continues to fuel doubt around his long-term future with the team and ability to win the Super Bowl.
And now, the former NFL MVP, Cam Newton, has added his voice to the conversation, issuing a stark warning to Prescott on his podcast that Jerry Jones could turn his eye to the next generation.
“If you do not perform this year, that [championship] door is going to close,” Newton said on his 4th&1 show. “And in come, drumroll please … Arch Manning.”
“If you don’t go to that NFC Championship this year… This is your career, bro.”
The Cowboys haven’t reached an NFC Championship Game in nearly three decades. For a franchise labeled “America’s Team,” that’s a drought that breeds discontent and heavy scrutiny.
They’re also on a run of zero Super Bowl honors since 1996, when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers to win their fifth ring through a score of 27-17. Troy Aikman was the quarterback on that day.
Why the Dallas Cowboys won’t cut Dak Prescott regardless
Newton’s comments, while attention-grabbing, reflect growing sentiment among fans and analysts that Prescott’s tenure in Dallas may be nearing its end – especially if 2025 does not result in a deep playoff run.
But is a potential transition to Arch Manning, a highly rated talent with the Texas Longhorns program in the NCAA really on the horizon? It’s a dramatic headline, but it’s simply unlikely to happen.
First, the financial implications of moving on from Prescott are enormous. If the Cowboys were to cut him after the 2025 season, the team would incur a staggering $130 million in dead cap money.
Even designating Prescott as a post-June 1 release would still saddle Dallas with over $74 million in dead money-without saving a single dollar, something Jones won’t be keen to do.
In short, releasing him would do significant long-term damage to the team’s salary cap and limit roster-building flexibility for years to come, allowing the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders to potentially dominate the NFC East.
Second, the logistics of drafting Arch Manning are hardly straightforward as he prepares for his first season as a full-time starter in 2025 after redshirting his freshman year and sitting behind Quinn Ewers.
Manning, known for his methodical development and admiration for the traditional quarterback pathway, followed by his uncles Peyton and Eli, is unlikely to declare for the NFL Draft after just one year of starting experience.
If he follows family precedent, Manning will stay in college through the 2026 season, positioning himself for the 2027 NFL Draft. Even then, there’s no guarantee Dallas will be in a position to select him, especially if the team remains competitive and outside the top of the draft order.
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