Cowboys Announce Major Dak Prescott News as Dallas Enters Pivotal 2026 Offseason

The Dallas Cowboys are officially in offseason mode following a disappointing end to their 2025 campaign, but amid sweeping changes across the organization, one thing remains crystal clear: Dak Prescott is still the franchise quarterback.

After falling to the New York Giants on Sunday, January 4, Dallas closed the season with a 7-9-1 record, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. While the outcome fell well short of expectations, the Cowboys are wasting no time reshaping their future. One of the most notable offseason moves came on Thursday, January 22, when Dallas officially hired Christian Parker—formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles—as their new defensive coordinator.

Yet even as the Cowboys overhaul their coaching staff and defensive philosophy, they are standing firmly behind Prescott. In fact, the team made a significant announcement regarding their quarterback that underscores just how highly they view his 2025 performance.

Dak Prescott Named Finalist for NFL Comeback Player of the Year

On January 22, the Cowboys announced that Dak Prescott has been named a finalist for the 2025 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, a prestigious honor recognizing players who rebound from adversity to deliver standout seasons.

The announcement was made official on the Cowboys’ website, highlighting Prescott’s resilience, durability, and production throughout the 2025–26 season.

“It marks the second time Prescott has been named a finalist for the award,” the Cowboys stated. “The first came in 2021, when he finished runner-up to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow after returning from a season-ending ankle injury that caused him to miss 11 games in 2020.”

This latest nomination places Prescott among the league’s most respected veterans and further cements his status as one of the NFL’s most consistent quarterbacks.

Prescott’s 2025 Season: Elite Production Despite Team Struggles

While Dallas’ win-loss record paints a bleak picture, Prescott’s individual performance tells a very different story.

During the 2025–26 season, Prescott delivered one of the most productive campaigns of his career:

• 4,552 passing yards, the second-highest total of his career

• 30 passing touchdowns, tied for the third-highest mark of his career

• Only 10 interceptions, tied for the second-fewest in a full season

• Started all 17 games, demonstrating durability and leadership

Prescott also added value as a runner, finishing with:

• 177 rushing yards

• 2 rushing touchdowns

• 15 rushing first downs, comparable to his 2023 production

According to NFL research, Prescott’s rushing efficiency and situational awareness remained a key part of the Cowboys’ offensive identity.

Perhaps most notably, Prescott surpassed Tony Romo during the season to become the Dallas Cowboys’ all-time passing yards leader, a milestone that places him permanently in franchise history.

Cowboys Make It Clear: Quarterback Is Not the Problem

Despite missing the postseason, the Cowboys have made it clear that quarterback play is not the issue. Prescott’s numbers ranked among the best in the league, and Dallas consistently fielded one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.

The problem, as acknowledged by both players and coaches, was the inability to finish games—particularly close contests decided by one score.

This reality has shaped Dallas’ offseason approach. Instead of resetting the offense, the Cowboys are focusing their attention on:

• Defensive improvement

• Coaching adjustments

• Game management and situational execution

Hiring Christian Parker as defensive coordinator reflects that shift, as Dallas seeks to address one of the league’s most glaring weaknesses from 2025.

Historical Significance of the Award Nomination

If Prescott were to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, it would mark only the second time in franchise history that a Cowboys player has received the honor.

The only previous Cowboys winner was Greg Ellis, the former Pro Bowl edge rusher who earned the award in 2007 after recording 12.5 sacks following a torn Achilles injury that sidelined him during the 2006 season.

Prescott’s nomination places him in rare company and reflects the respect he commands across the league.

Prescott Reflects Honestly on a Frustrating Season

Following the season-ending loss to the Giants, Prescott addressed reporters with trademark honesty, acknowledging both the frustration and the positives of the year.

“Tough, tough season. Frustrating in the sense,” Prescott said. “I can’t directly correlate my play to the wins or losses, end of the season, overall success of the season. So that makes it frustrating.”

Prescott pointed out that despite the team’s struggles, the Cowboys’ offense remained one of the league’s most dangerous units.

“One of the best offenses in the league, explosive,” he said. “Not always to our standard, didn’t play like that every week, week in and week out. But put up a lot of points.”

Close Games Defined the Cowboys’ Downfall

Prescott emphasized that Dallas’ inability to close out tight games ultimately defined the season.

“Unfortunately, just didn’t win the one-score games that we should have,” he explained. “Didn’t finish out some of those close games on our end. Ultimately just [a 7-9-1] record.”

Those late-game struggles have become a focal point of offseason evaluations, reinforcing the belief that marginal improvements—especially on defense—could lead to dramatically different results in 2026.

Gratitude and Perspective Amid Disappointment

Despite the frustration, Prescott made it clear that effort and commitment were never in question.

“It’s not the destination, not the end goal, not where we wanted to be,” he said. “But thankful for the experience. Thankful for the men in the locker room who gave their all. Coaches each and every week.”

Prescott added that focus and intensity were consistent throughout the season, even when results failed to follow.

“I don’t think effort or lack of focus or intensity was ever our problem,” he said. “Appreciate everyone giving it their all, leaving it all out there.”

What This Means for the Cowboys’ 2026 Outlook

As Dallas prepares for the 2026 season, the message from the organization is clear:

• Dak Prescott remains the leader of the franchise

• Offensive production is a strength, not a concern

• Defensive improvement is the priority

Prescott’s Comeback Player of the Year nomination reinforces the Cowboys’ belief that their window to contend is still open—provided they can fix the issues around him.

With a new defensive coordinator, a motivated locker room, and a quarterback playing at an elite level, Dallas enters the offseason facing pressure—but also opportunity.

The Cowboys may have fallen short in 2025, but with Dak Prescott at the helm, they are not starting over. They are retooling, refocusing, and preparing for a season that could redefine the trajectory of the franchise.