The Dallas Cowboys shocked the NFL world on Thursday by actually trading Micah “Michael” Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, setting their playoff chances on fire and bringing in plenty of ridicule across the entire NFL landscape.
With the additional ammunition the Cowboys acquired from the trade, their roster appears ready for a rebuild, despite their best efforts to say otherwise. Could this open up an opportunity for the Los Angeles Rams?
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Could Dak Prescott Succeed Matthew Stafford Under Center?
If the Dallas Cowboys are gearing up to hit the rebuild button, their biggest move left is resetting at quarterback. With an elite crop in the 2026 class and plenty of draft capital, they could have the perfect opportunity to acquire their future in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
If that happens, they would be able to move on from their likely leading all-time record holder under center in Dak Prescott. Prescott, 32, is already approaching the end of his career, but is still under contract until 2029. With a rookie contract in tow, the Cowboys could find themselves with an opportunity to move on from him.
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Coincidentally, the Rams will have to figure out their situation under center after the 2025 season. 2025 feels more and more like the last season Matthew Stafford will be a Los Angeles Ram, especially after his recent health scare. The Rams have a bevy of draft picks after their trade with the Atlanta Falcons, acquiring their first-round pick in 2026.
With this intersection of timelines for both, an opportunity could arise for Dak Prescott to be Stafford’s successor in Los Angeles.
Or…maybe not.
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Unfortunately for both sides, the math here just doesn’t back that up at all. On Dallas’s side, Prescott is owed $40M guaranteed next year and brings a whopping $130M of dead money if cut or $90M if traded pre-June 1st of next year. That is, quite frankly, an untenable number no matter what. A post-June 1st cut still boasts a $74M dead cap hit, while a trade brings a $34M hit. Dallas has the cap space to somewhat afford a 34M hit, but that’s a major hit to their operating ability, no matter what.
For the Rams, Stafford’s contract brings an equal problem. The Rams simply couldn’t afford his dead cap hit. Even if he retires at the end of the year, the Rams would owe $27.4M in dead cap in 2026 and another $14.4M in 2027, two major figures. Additionally, they would run out of time rather quickly. Stafford’s contract has a $40M salary guarantee that will vest on the fifth day of the 2026 league year.
To take on a contract like Prescott’s right after, even if they cut him, would be financially impossible.
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It’s a fun idea in theory. Prescott would be free of Dallas throwing him to the wolves, and would be in an ecosystem where he could rebuild his image while not having to carry the load of the entire offense like he has in Dallas for the last several years. With weapons like Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Terrance Ferguson, and Kyren Williams, as well as the coaching prowess of Sean McVay, Prescott would be in a prime position to lead this offense and put up plenty of production.
A theory is likely all it will remain though, at least for the next year or so. Neither team can afford to make a deal possible here until 2027 at the earliest, and by then, it feels very likely that Los Angeles will have already picked up a rookie quarterback of their future.
This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.