Will the Dallas Cowboys focus on youth or experience behind franchise quarterback Dak Prescott going forward?
Dak Prescott signed his historic contract with the Dallas Cowboys nearly two years ago, and while he will always receive criticism for his lack of postseason success not justifying his $60 million average salary, he will remain the team's franchise quarterback for at least the next couple seasons.
In the more immediate future, the Cowboys have worked on restructuring Prescott's contract in order to free up cap space for this offseason's plans, which owner Jerry Jones vows will include dramatic roster changes.
Prescott's 2026 books showed a $40 million base salary and a $74 million cap hit. Dallas got that number down drastically (saving over $30 mil), along with the weights of CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Smith's contracts, which helps assemble as much space as possible for free agency beginning this month.
Beyond that, the Cowboys could also begin conversations about who lines up behind the new franchise passing leader. In 2025, free agency trade-get Joe Milton and practice-squader Will Grier were the two backups to Prescott.
Dak played as well as any quarterback in the NFL for most of the season (and stayed healthy), which eliminated the need to fall back onto a substitute. Cowboys Nation is happy with that, but it also means that the franchise hasn't gotten a clear look at what reliability they might get if they were to ever need to put in a backup.
Because of that, there could be a more trustworthy veteran worthy of targeting in free agency.
DallasCowboys.com writer Patrik Walker lists former Heisman Trophy winner and journeyman veteran Marcus Mariota as a possible option for Prescott's second-string. Walker says he is the "one viable option" considering experience, age and salary.
"He’s 32 years old but has 82 starts and 104 games under his belt, and also provides the skill set Dallas is clearly looking for in a backup quarterback: mobile with some arm talent."
Mariota currently resides in the NFC East with the Washington Commanders and needed to suit up this past season when Jayden Daniels was out with numerous injuries in a forgetful second season.
Playing in 11 games this year, Mariota threw for 1,695 yards and 10 touchdowns on 61 percent completion.
The former Oregon Duck is now an unrestricted free agent after re-signing with Washington on a one-year, $8 million contract last season.
For now, the attention settles on Prescott keeping up his Pro Bowl level. Dallas may not completely know what they have as a backup until they make the decision on developing Milton's youth or preferring someone more proven.
If the latter is chosen, Mariota seems to be a fit.