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The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2024 season with high hopes and bold declarations, promising an "all in" approach to finally end their playoff drought.
What followed, however, was a disappointing campaign marred by injuries, underwhelming roster decisions, and fierce competition that left the team near the bottom of the standings.
While the Cowboys couldn't control the injury bug or the strength of their opponents, their lack of meaningful offseason upgrades was a self-inflicted setback. Despite their vocal commitment to success, the front office failed to back it up with action-leaving quarterback Dak Prescott to carry the burden with limited .
That burden became too much when Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, prematurely ending what had already become a lost year.
Yet as the 2025 season approaches, there's renewed hope in Dallas, largely due to Prescott's expected return at full strength and a handful of key offseason moves that suggest a new urgency from the franchise.
Rumors of a Prescott trade emerge
Not everyone is convinced that the Cowboys are fully committed to Prescott. On a recent episode of The Athletic Football Show, NFL analyst Robert Mays floated the idea that Dallas could be open to trading their franchise quarterback-for the right price.
"If you called the Cowboys right now and said, 'We'll give you three first-round picks for Dak,' I think they would do it," Mays said, speculating that Dallas might consider dealing Prescott if they could clear his contract and land major draft capital.
While that may be an intriguing hypothetical, the reality is much different. Prescott's injury history and looming cap hits make him a risky investment for any team. But more importantly, Dallas structured a massive extension for Prescott not to flip him for picks-but to win now.
And for the first time in years, their roster decisions reflect that belief.
This offseason, the Cowboys acquired wide receiver George Pickens, giving Prescott a legitimate secondary target to pair with CeeDee Lamb. They also addressed protection issues by selecting Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker in the first round of the draft. These moves, rooted in immediate impact, signal a shift toward genuine contention.
That's why trade speculation, while popular among media talking heads, likely won't materialize into anything serious. Dallas has built their hopes around Prescott, and the front office is finally giving him the tools to succeed. The plan isn't to move on-it's to move forward.
The coming seasons will determine whether that strategy pays off. But for now, the Cowboys are sticking with their quarterback, fully aware that a healthy and well-ed Dak Prescott remains their best shot at returning to the Super Bowl.