Jerry Jones' relationship with Dak Prescott seems to be a lifelong one: he'll be a Cowboy for life
Dallas appears to have no immediate succession plan at quarterback as Prescott enters another season as the unquestioned face of the franchise
D ak Prescott 's future with the Dallas Cowboys appears to be about as secure as it gets in the NFL .
While quarterback situations can change quickly across the league, there is little indication that Dallas is preparing for life after Prescott anytime soon.
In fact, Cowboys insider Clarence Hill Jr. believes the organization has effectively made its intentions clear by failing to establish a developmental quarterback capable of eventually taking over.
Hill offered a blunt assessment of the situation as Dallas prepared for the 2026 season.
" Dak Prescott will be the Cowboys quarterback for years to come," Hill tweeted. "There is no succession plan, no developmental option in place."
That statement is particularly notable following Dallas' latest quarterback decision. The Cowboys initially carried both Sam Howell and Joe Milton alongside Prescott on their 53-man roster, but Milton was subsequently waived after the team added running back Emari Demercado . Howell ultimately remained Prescott's backup.
The move raised eyebrows because Milton had enjoyed an encouraging preseason. He completed 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception, prompting some observers to believe he could eventually develop into a legitimate option behind Prescott .
Instead, Dallas chose Howell , whose previous NFL experience and guaranteed contract strengthened his position.
The decision reinforced the idea that the Cowboys are focused on Prescott as their immediate and longer-term answer rather than actively grooming a successor.
Jerry Jones has repeatedly backed Prescott
The relationship between Prescott and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been built over a decade.
Prescott arrived in Dallas as a fourth-round pick in 2016 and unexpectedly became the starter after Tony Romo suffered a preseason injury. Rather than simply filling in temporarily, Prescott took control of the position and established himself as the franchise quarterback.
His career has since included multiple Pro Bowl selections, a second-team All-Pro honor and the 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. He also became the Cowboys' all-time leading passer, further cementing his place in franchise history.
Jones ' commitment became particularly clear when Dallas handed Prescott a four-year, $240 million contract extension in 2025, with $231 million guaranteed.
That financial commitment makes it difficult to imagine the Cowboys abruptly moving away from Prescott unless circumstances change dramatically.
The current quarterback depth chart only strengthens that conclusion. Rather than selecting a young quarterback specifically designed to learn behind Prescott , Dallas has opted for experienced depth in Howell.
Milton's release also means there is no obvious young successor sitting directly behind the veteran starter.
That does not necessarily mean Dallas will never draft Prescott's replacement. NFL teams can change direction quickly, and the quarterback position is particularly vulnerable to injuries and performance fluctuations.
But Hill's assessment reflects what the Cowboys ' current construction suggests: there is no urgency to identify the next face of the offense. For Prescott, that represents another significant vote of confidence.
At 33 years old, he remains the centerpiece of Dallas' plans heading into the 2026 campaign. The Cowboys ' decision-making around the quarterback room suggests that, for now, the organization would rather maximize the remainder of Prescott's career than spend resources preparing for the era that follows him.
And with Jones still firmly attached to the franchise and Prescott tied to Dallas financially and structurally, the relationship between quarterback and owner looks set to continue for years.
Whether that eventually translates into the postseason success the Cowboys expect is another question. But as far as Prescott's place in Dallas is concerned, the message appears unmistakable: the Cowboys are still building around Dak.
