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Dak Prescott looks on from the sideline during a game against the Panthers.

This is a massive season for the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott. After a disappointing season a year ago, it’s tough to blame Prescott too much, considering he was injured.

Prescott appeared in only eight games and played at a decent level, throwing for 1,978 yards and 11 touchdowns. His eight interceptions were a bit concerning, but Prescott has had some turnover issues throughout parts of his career, including 2022, when he led the league with 15.

But some have taken it up a notch, predicting that this could be his final season with the Cowboys if it doesn’t go as planned. That includes former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, who recently predicted that the Cowboys would cut ties with him for Arch Manning out of the University of Texas.

“This door is closing,” Newton said , per PFSN. “Because if you don’t succeed this year. And I mean, this is not even a championship or bust. Dak Prescott, if you do not perform this year, that door is going to close. And in comes … drumroll please … Arch Manning. You go out with an injury this year … Jerry is going to do anything and everything to spend everything for Arch Manning.”

Where Do Prescott and the Cowboys Stand?

There are some issues that the Dallas Cowboys have to worry about regarding Prescott’s injury, but ultimately, he has proven to be a franchise quarterback. If they want to get rid of the soon-to-be 32-year-old, there will be teams lining up at their doorstep to trade for him.

But Newton has some points, as the Cowboys are in a strange position. With Prescott’s contract certainly in play here, selecting Manning with the first overall pick, if they could get it, would allow them to somewhat reset.

“Dak has had well enough options,” Newton said on his show, “4th&1 With Cam Newton.”

“When you go back and look at the dynasty, when they went on that ’90s run, Troy Aikman had Emmitt Smith,” Newton added. “Dak had a successful running game with [Tony] Pollard as well as Ezekiel Elliott. This was eatin-a-bowl-of-cereal Zeke … He also had Michael Irvin! As we talk about the amenities that were on Dak Prescott’s resort, by way of Dallas … my boy done had some options.”

Manning is expected to be a generational quarterback, with some suggesting that he has an opportunity to be just as good as some of his family, including Peyton and Eli Manning.

However, he hasn’t been able to prove that at the University of Texas, only attempting 95 passes. In the 2024 season, he threw for 939 yards on 90 attempts, throwing nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Manning also showed some with his legs, rushing for 108 yards on 25 carries for four touchdowns, good for 4.3 yards per carry.

Is Manning the Generational Prospect He’s Been Deemed to Be?

However, the Dallas Cowboys have some to consider. Not only have some suggested that he won’t leave in the draft following this season, but others don’t believe he’s as good as many believe, including ESPN analyst, Aaron Murray, who questioned why he was sitting behind Quinn Ewers, who was eventually drafted in the late rounds by the Miami Dolphins.

“So all in all, Quinn Ewers had a disappointing season, and it reflected in his draft stock,” Murray said , per SI. ”If you are so good and everyone has you projected number one pick in the NFL Draft, come 2026, why in the hell are you not playing above a seventh-round quarterback

“Why was Arch not playing? It’s like that rubs me the wrong way a little bit.”

Jon Conahan covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. Since 2019, his sports coverage has appeared at Sports Illustrated, oddschecker, ClutchPoints and Sportskeeda. More about Jon Conahan

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