4 teams lurking in the shadows to steal Dak Prescott from Cowboys in 2025
By Jerry Trotta
The Dallas Cowboys have finally signed CeeDee Lamb to a blockbuster extension, but the celebrations lasted all of three days before the normally-diplomatic Dak Prescott channeled his inner villain and flamed Jerry Jones through the media as he waits for his own new deal.
Ever willing to cause a national stir, Jones stated that he has zero issue with not having a quarterback under contract in 2025. Prescott is now set to enter a contract year for the third time in six seasons with the Cowboys.
That is unprecedented for a consensus top-10 quarterback. Jerry Jones is playing a stupid game (CeeDee Lamb certainly agrees) and Prescott has let them know what kind of prize is on the other side of the 2024 season. Wielding more leverage than any player in NFL history, Prescott will ask for an absolute fortune come March.
If talks drag out that long, the Cowboys may not be willing to meet Prescott's demands. These four teams in particular are waiting ever so patiently in the shadows for Jones to make arguably his worst mistake as Dallas' de facto general manager.
4 teams ready to make Jerry Jones pay for toying with Dak Prescott
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Considered a dark-horse landing spot for Prescott, the Steelers should have Cowboys fans more concerned than what's being led on. They have revamped their offensive line in the last two drafts with first-round tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, as well as second-round center Zach Frazier.
The Steelers will deploy a quarterback-by-committee this year in the form of Russell Wilson, who was recently named the starter, and 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields. Ideally, Fields will develop into the long-term solution, but he put out some terrible film in preseason.
Projected to have upwards of $81 million in cap space next year, Pittsburgh can make Prescott a grandfather offer to end its revolving door at quarterback. That would fly in the face of how the Steelers historically have done business, but the Rooney family has to be tired of hovering around .500 on the back of an elite defense.
George Pickens is the Steelers only building block at receiver, but 2025 is an excellent year to need a wideout. Next year's draft is going to be loaded at receiver and they should have leftover cap space to throw money at a free agent like Tee Higgins.
3. Tennessee Titans
The Titans have done everything in their power to put 2023 second-round pick Will Levis in a position to succeed.
They've overhauled an abysmal offensive line with first-round picks Peter Skoronski (No. 11 overall pick last year) and J.C. Latham (No. 7 pick this year). They also gave Lloyd Cushenberry $50 million in free agency this spring to take over at center. A good offensive line is a QB's best friend, but Tennessee has gone above and behind the last two years to add to their skill positions.
They swiped wideout Calvin Ridley from under the Jaguars' nose and signed former Cowboys fan favorite Tony Pollard to pair with talented second-year back Tyjae Spears. Two-time 1,000-yard receiver Tyler Boyd was another underrated pickup. He's a terrific No. 3 option behind Ridley and five-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins.
Levis will be given every opportunity to cement himself as the Titans' long-term quarterback. If the audition goes up in flames, though, odds are GM Ran Carthon will want to take a swing at Prescott given how much he's invested into the roster in two years on the job.
2. NY Giants
Daniel Jones almost certainly won't be back in New York next year. He has zero guaranteed money left on his $160 million extension after this season. It's pretty easy to read between the lines that head coach Brian Daboll is ready to transition to a different quarterback.
The Giants are projected to have only $30 million in cap space next year, but they can save $19 million by releasing Jones. Being that Prescott has owned New York in his career (12-2 record in 14 starts), odds are Dallas' rival recognizes what he brings to the table.
Even though New York is already paying left tackle Andrew Thomas, edge rusher Brian Burns and defensive tackle DeMarcus Lawrence big money, they have the wiggle room to make Prescott the highest-paid QB.
The Giants still need to add more talent at wide receiver and along the offensive line, but they have a bookend left tackle in Andrew Thomas and a potential superstar receiver in No. 6 overall pick Malik Nabers.
The idea of Prescott joining Big Blue is enough to make Cowboys fans vomit, but there are myriad reasons why it makes sense for both sides.
1. Las Vegas Raiders
The Prescott-to-Las-Vegas were in motion the moment the Raiders bypassed drafting a quarterback in April. Michael Penix, J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix all went off the board right before Las Vegas picked at No. 11.
Backed into a corner, they selected tight end Brock Bowers and bolstered their offensive line with Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson at the top of round two. Yes, the Raiders missed their chance at a franchise QB, but they deserve credit for not forcing it.
With marquee talents like Maxx Crosby, Davante Adams and Christian Wilkins, Las Vegas can be competitive this season with Garnder Minshew under center. Adams might not be long for the silver and black if he continues to get underwhelming QB play, but a trade is unlikely.
Stuck in a loaded AFC and residing in the same division as Patrick Mahomes, the Raiders need a difference-maker. With a desperate owner and plenty of projected cap space in 2025, Las Vegas will absolutely be a player in the Prescott sweepstakes.