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Dak Prescott didn’t get a playoff run with the Dallas Cowboys this season, but he still put together one of the strongest campaigns of his career. Now, the team has confirmed that their franchise quarterback is officially a finalist for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, according to the Cowboys’ official Instagram account.
The journey back to form wasn’t simple. Prescott suffered a partial hamstring tear in Week 9 of the 2024 season against Atlanta while trying to escape pressure, per team reports. The injury required surgery and kept him off the field for roughly nine months.
After returning to action in 2025, Prescott put up some of the best numbers of his career. He logged 17 appearances, completed 67.3% of his throws, piled up 4,552 yards through the air, and tossed 30 touchdowns to finish the year with a 99.5 passer rating, according to league statistics. Those totals weren’t the only highlight—Prescott also moved past Tony Romo to become Dallas’ all-time leader in passing yardage, climbing to 35,989 career yards and eclipsing Romo’s 34,183-yard milestone.
This isn’t a new situation for Prescott when it comes to comeback recognition. Back in 2021, he was also named a finalist after bouncing back from a major ankle injury the season before, which cost him 11 games in 2020. During that 2021 campaign, he completed close to 69% of his passes and totaled 4,449 yards through the air, playing a key role in pushing Dallas into the playoffs, based on league records. Joe Burrow ended up taking the Comeback Player of the Year honor that season instead.
missing major honors is part of Prescott’s history too. He finished as the runner-up in the 2023 MVP race behind Lamar Jackson, according to league voting results. The Cowboys have only had one player ever win Comeback Player of the Year—Pro Bowl DE Greg Ellis claimed it in 2007 after returning from a torn Achilles.
While Prescott is chasing individual recognition, the Cowboys’ front office is staring down a financial puzzle. Dallas signed him to a four-year, $240 million extension in 2024, per team and league reports, and his salary jumps to $40 million in 2026. The real concern is a projected $160 million combined cap hit in 2027 and 2028, split at $75 million and $85 million.
According to cap projections, Dallas is already estimated to be $30 million over the upper end of a $295–$305 million cap space range. That means Jerry Jones and his front office can’t simply convert Prescott’s 2026 salary into bonuses without pushing the financial burden further into the future.
The team could restructure multiple deals—including those belonging to Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Smith and others—to free up close to $100 million, based on contract modeling. But doing so would shift roughly $8 million in cap hits yearly from 2027 through 2031.
Dak Prescott isn’t the only business concern either. Dallas has 22 pending free agents, with 15–16 reportedly unrestricted. One of the biggest names is WR George Pickens, who posted 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns this season. His rookie deal is up, and analysts expect a major payday.
With money tight and other teams circling, Dallas could be forced into tough decisions. Whether Dak Prescott wins the Comeback award or not, the Cowboys will head into next season with a chip on their shoulder and serious expectations to return to the postseason.
FAQ:
Why was Dak Prescott named a Comeback Player of the Year finalist?
Dak Prescott earned a finalist spot because he returned from a major hamstring injury and delivered one of the best statistical seasons of his career, helping boost the Cowboys’ offense.
What injury did Dak Prescott recover from?
He suffered a partial hamstring tear in 2024, which required surgery and kept him out for roughly nine months.
Did Dak Prescott break any franchise records this season?
Yes. He passed Tony Romo on the Cowboys’ all-time passing yardage list, becoming the franchise leader.
Why is Dak Prescott’s contract creating issues for the Cowboys?
His upcoming cap hits in 2027 and 2028 are projected at a combined $160 million, which puts financial pressure on the team’s long-term roster planning.
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