If the Dallas Cowboys step into a future without quarterback Dak Prescott, who could they replace him with? One analyst suspects Justin Fields could be a fit.
The Dallas Cowboys have headed down a dangerous path. The slippery slope to quarterback purgatory is steeper than those taking quarterback Dak Prescott for granted would like to admit, and there are decreasing reasons to be optimistic about Dallas’ situation under center.
One may not believe Prescott is gone until he’s wearing another uniform, and that’s fair. With 11 months until his impending free agency, a lot can change, relationships can be mended, and pen can hit paper. Until then, though, it’s worth speculating on who could replace him.
The most likely option may lie in the NFL Draft, but at this point the 2025 class isn’t inspiring. Could Prescott be replaced by a younger veteran instead?
As Christopher Kline notes, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields could be an option for the Cowboys.
Fields, a former first-round pick, flashed potential increasingly often during his Chicago Bears tenure, but the down-to-down consistency proved to be elusive. He’ll get a fresh start with a respected organization, but he’ll begin his campaign on the bench behind veteran quarterback Russell Wilson.
“Odds are the Pittsburgh Steelers will decline Justin Fields’ $25.7 million contract option for next season, sending the former first-round pick into free agency,” Kline wrote. “Fields is the obvious successor to Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh, at least in theory. But, if Fields ends up riding the pine all season as expected, he could be tempted to find a more suitable home.”
Fields had the best year of his career in 2023, throwing for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He set career-highs in completion percentage, passer rating, and interception rate, but remained below average basically across the board.
SImply put, he’d be a seismic shift from Prescott’s game. While incredibly physically talented – perhaps more than Prescott – Fields lacks the post-snap proficiencies of his potential predecessor and his struggles managing sacks and operating the quick game means a schematic shift would have to be in play.
“It’s clear the league does not put much stock into Fields’ three seasons as the Bears’ QB1,” Kline wrote. “While his output was never great, the complete lack of faith in such a dynamic athlete is a bit surprising. It could set up Dallas with a chance to find major value in the bargain bin.”
Of course, this theory means Dallas would be “not putting much stock” in its own young backup, Trey Lance, who is also free next March. But this idea? If nothing else, choosing Fields as the next quarterback of America’s Team would give them a unique upside other more steady passers couldn’t offer.
