The veteran quarterback took the snap, stepped into the pocket, and fired a 52-yard long pass down the field to wide receiver T.Y. Hilton.
Catch!
A couple of minutes later, the Cowboys scored a game-tying touchdown. Then, they intercepted the Eagles to get the ball back and kicked a key field goal to go up front. Dallas outlasted Philadelphia 40-34, and Prescott’s tremendous pass became his highlight reel staple.
The win over their biggest rival gave Dallas confidence they could compete with anyone, but despite Prescott’s terrific effort, the Cowboys bowed down to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round and continued their Super Bowl drought.
The unflattering streak still lasts.
Outstanding. Remarkable. Electrifying. Superlatives that some define Prescott’s ten-year career in Dallas.
Today, he is the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback, earning $60 million per season. He owns multiple franchise records—passing yards, attempts, and completions—and sits just six touchdown passes shy of another. A decade-long starter. The face of the franchise. The heartbeat of the team.
Yet, one thing is missing.
A decade earlier, Prescott was sitting on a couch surrounded by his family. The NFL draft was underway, but what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of his life turned into a sour, frustrating waiting game.
On the third day – when the draft went into the fourth round – Prescott was still available, waiting for the coveted phone call. Coming off a solid, efficient, and productive collegiate campaign at Mississippi State, he thought he would have found his new home by then.
“I was mad as hell. Like mad at everybody,” Prescott said. “What's crazy, I have an aunt, she wore a Cowboy T-shirt that day. And I'm like, ‘What the f--- are you doing?’ And we ended up getting picked by the Cowboys.”
Eventually, Dallas selected Prescott in the fourth round, 135th overall.
The then-young playmaker soon let go of the bitterness and let the setback fuel his fire. Growing up in Louisiana, he’s always rooted for the Cowboys. And after years of pretending to suit up for one of the most legendary NFL teams, it was time to drop the act and play for real.
“This means everything. It was just something I dreamed about,” said Prescott after getting drafted. “I ran around the house acting like I was a Cowboys quarterback my whole life, so for it all to come true, it's such a blessing. Just being here with my family, and owner Jerry Jones gave me that call, and just the excitement to have my family, a majority of Cowboys fans, it was awesome.”
Dallas drafted Prescott to learn behind Tony Romo. The Cowboys knew Romo would ultimately need a successor. Ten years later, it’s clear the Cowboys couldn’t have picked a better option.
Yet back in 2016, drafting Prescott wasn’t the plan. Dallas targeted Paxton Lynch and Connor Cook but failed to trade up to select either of them. So, they pointed at Prescott.
He wasn’t their first go-to guy. He wasn’t even the Cowboys’ first option in the fourth round. And still, Dallas had to turn to Prescott way earlier than anticipated when Romo suffered a vertebral compression fracture in Week 3. Suddenly, the rookie turned into a starter. And he never looked back.
“Unfortunately, as soon as those guys got hurt, I was like, ‘Good.' This is where I'm supposed to be, and I’m not giving this back,” Prescott said. "Yeah, it all worked out.”
Prescott led Dallas to a 13-3 record and a postseason appearance; the Cowboys lost to the Packers 31-24 in the Wild Card Round despite Prescott’s almost flawless performance. Even in defeat, he shined, going toe-to-toe with Aaron Rodgers.
His poise under pressure and command of the offense earned widespread praise—and validated Dallas’ decision.
After his first season concluded, he was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and finished sixth in MVP voting. He also received his first Pro Bowl selection. His 104.9 quarterback rating broke the NFL record for the highest passer rating by a rookie.
At first, it seemed like a decorated career in Dallas wasn’t in his cards. But the way everything unfolded, it felt inevitable. Like it was always meant to be. Prescott reported to Arlington with a chip on his shoulder and worked tirelessly to prove everybody wrong.
As a daily reminder to never get complacent, he carries a tattoo on his right wrist. It’s simple – 135. His draft pick.
“I’ll never forget it either: 135,” Prescott said. “Eighth quarterback taken. One hundred percent.”
When the organization drafted Prescott, they thought they got a quarterback. Now they know they have the guy.
Initially, teams doubted him. He didn’t get enough attention and trust. But after breaking records, impressing fans, and making highlight reels, nobody doubts Prescott’s talent and ability to perform under pressure.
“Sometimes you're just fortunate,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “I mean, it turned out the Dak thing just fell into place, and it's the best thing that happened to us. I think we're glad we picked him over any quarterback in that draft.”
His greatness has been cemented in NFL history. But to truly become immortal in the game of football, Prescott has one step left in his career: the Super Bowl. The playoffs have been the nemesis of Dallas.
The star quarterback is 2-5 in postseason games, tied for the worst record by any QB in playoff history. The last time Dallas made the postseason was in 2023, and despite being a 7.5-point favorite, the Cowboys fell to the Packers 48-32.
Prescott threw two interceptions in the first half, and his team was down 27-0 at halftime, ultimately failing to climb out of the hole and overcome the deficit.
Prescott’s resume is filled with success, but one space remains empty. Prescott is chasing it relentlessly—the chance to become the sixth quarterback in franchise history to deliver a Super Bowl title.
His tattoo reminds him that he still has unfinished business. Thirty years have passed since Dallas last lifted the Lombardi Trophy. Over ten seasons, Prescott has proven he belongs.
From overlooked to undeniable, his story now hinges on one final climb to the top.
