Dak Prescott entered the offseason with numbers that typically secure a quarterback’s standing, yet the conversation surrounding the Dallas Cowboys star has shifted toward doubt rather than praise after a candid assessment from franchise legend Troy Aikman.
Even with Jerry Jones publicly supporting his quarterback, the tone around Prescott‘s future has become noticeably more cautious. Prescott‘s 2025 season was statistically elite.
He finished among the NFL leaders with 4,552 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, guided a high powered offense, and reestablished himself as one of the league’s premier passers following a major hamstring injury the previous year.
However, Dallas still missed the playoffs, turning what could have been a breakthrough campaign into a source of frustration.
Aikman, who knows the pressure of quarterbacking America’s Team better than anyone, framed the issue not as talent but opportunity lost.
“When you have the type of season that Dak had and the offense had, and you failed to capitalize on it, I mean, that’s a big letdown,” he said. “Because one, you don’t know if Dak is going to stay healthy, which is not easy to do.
“And as you get older, it becomes even harder, so can he stay healthy again next year? And if he can, can the offense continue to play at the level they did?”
Durability concerns overshadow elite production
Prescott‘s career has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries, beginning with the devastating ankle fracture in 2020 and continuing with the hamstring injury that ended his 2024 season.
Although he returned in peak form, those setbacks have created lingering questions about long term reliability, particularly as he approaches his mid thirties.
Aikman emphasized that sustained success in the NFL is never guaranteed, even after a standout year. “It’s not a given. Every year, it’s a little bit of an unknown,” he said. “But they had opportunities, this year being one of them.”
Dallas fielded one of the league’s most explosive passing attacks, led by CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Together, the pair produced more than 2,500 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, providing Prescott with elite weapons on the perimeter.
The failure to convert that firepower into postseason success only intensified scrutiny of the entire organization.???
Contract drama could reshape Prescott’s supporting cast
As the Cowboys look ahead, the biggest question may not be Prescott himself but the future of the roster around him.
Pickens is nearing free agency and could command a contract reportedly approaching $140 million. With Dallas already facing significant salary cap pressure, keeping him will be a difficult decision.
Losing Pickens would strip Prescott of a key playmaker and force the offense to recalibrate.
Some analysts have suggested that Dallas could franchise tag the receiver to maintain continuity, while others have floated trade scenarios that would prioritize defensive reinforcements instead.
If Lamb remains healthy and the team retains enough offensive talent, Prescott could once again produce elite numbers. But the margin for error is shrinking.
He will be 33 when the next season begins, and the combination of age, injury history, and roster uncertainty makes the upcoming year one of the most pivotal of his career.
For now, Jerry Jones continues to stand behind his quarterback, but Aikman‘s cautionary perspective underscores a reality in Dallas: statistical brilliance alone is no longer enough.
Until Prescott leads the Cowboys deep into January, the questions will persist.
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