NFL Trade Rumors: Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott "Leaning Towards" Season-Ending Surgery

We may have seen the last of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott this regular season. While appearing on Good Morning Football on Monday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport revealed that the three-time Pro Bowler is visiting a specialist in New York today to evaluate his hamstring injury and is currently "leaning towards" undergoing surgery that would render him unavailable for the remainder of the 2024 season.

From @GMFB: Taking a look at the QB situations around the league, including the #Cowboys, #Giants, and #Colts. pic.twitter.com/PxlZ1dE3lB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 11, 2024

Undergoing surgery would cost Prescott three months but would likely help him make a full recovery. Rapoport notes that even if Prescott opts for rest, rehab, and recovery, he could still miss six to eight weeks. Given the Cowboys are already 3-6, an absence that long could easily eliminate the Cowboys from the playoff hunt.

Accepting defeat in the 2024 regular season as soon as possible may ultimately help the Cowboys. Not only will it improve their draft capital heading into the offseason, but it may expedite a divorce from long-time head coach Mike McCarthy, who has been the subject of firing rumors since last year's early postseason exit.

McCarthy has clearly built a sustainable and effective organization in Dallas, accruing a 42-25 record through his first five seasons with the team. Unfortunately, that hasn't translated to postseason success, with only one playoff win since 2020. There's also mounting evidence he's losing the locker room: All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons spoke rather callously on McCarthy's future following last night's 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Prescott can survive an organizational restructuring. He just signed a four-year, $240 million extension with the Cowboys, and he was already an effective player before McCarthy came to town. For his sake and the Cowboys', Prescott is better off prioritizing coming back strong in 2025.