Dallas Cowboys’ Options to Find Dak Prescott’s Backup Now Turning to Texas Longhorns
As the Dallas Cowboys head into the 2025 NFL season, the need to solidify their quarterback room has become a topic of significant discussion. While Dak Prescott remains firmly entrenched as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, the team’s search for a reliable backup quarterback has become increasingly important. A team with aspirations to make a deep playoff run, especially in the competitive NFC, must ensure that if Prescott goes down with injury, they have a capable replacement ready to step in.
The Cowboys’ front office has been exploring several options to address this need, and now, reports suggest that the team is turning to the Texas Longhorns as a potential source for Prescott’s backup. With the Longhorns producing notable quarterback talent, the Cowboys may be eyeing a solution close to home, possibly by bringing in a young player with a promising future or even considering a draft prospect who could develop into a reliable option behind Prescott.
This article will delve into the options the Dallas Cowboys have, the quarterbacks currently on the Texas Longhorns roster, and how a partnership between the two could benefit both the Cowboys and the player in question. The possibility of selecting a Texas Longhorn quarterback may not just be a way to secure Prescott’s backup but also a long-term strategy to ensure depth at the quarterback position, especially given the potential future of the Cowboys’ offense.
1. Why the Cowboys Need a Reliable Backup Quarterback
The importance of a reliable backup quarterback cannot be overstated in the NFL. Dak Prescott has been the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ offense since taking over the starting role in 2016, but his career has been riddled with injuries, including a serious ankle injury in 2020 that sidelined him for a significant portion of the season. While Prescott has shown resilience in returning to form, there’s always the risk of further injuries, and the Cowboys must be prepared to handle such a scenario.
The Dallas Cowboys’ offense revolves around Prescott’s leadership, ability to read defenses, and his powerful arm. However, without a competent backup, the team risks falling into mediocrity if Prescott were to miss extended time. In the 2024 season, the Cowboys found themselves in a situation where Prescott’s performance, particularly in high-stakes games, left them questioning their playoff potential. The backup quarterback needs to be a player who can not only manage the game but also step in and execute the game plan effectively in Prescott’s absence.
In addition to the on-field performance, the Cowboys’ backup quarterback must be a good fit for the team’s locker room and culture. This player must be someone who can handle the pressure of being one step away from taking the reins of the most visible position in American sports. Given the size of the Dallas Cowboys’ fanbase and the media attention that comes with being a backup in the NFL, this is a high-pressure role that demands both physical and mental toughness.
With the team poised to compete for a deep postseason run, securing a dependable backup quarterback could be the difference between a playoff exit and a Super Bowl appearance. This is where the Cowboys’ search has now turned to local talent — specifically from the Texas Longhorns.
2. Texas Longhorns: A Rich History of Quarterback Talent
The Texas Longhorns have a long and storied history of producing top-tier quarterbacks, from Vince Young, who led the Longhorns to a national championship in 2005, to Colt McCoy, a standout who had a successful career in the NFL. While the program has not consistently churned out NFL-caliber quarterbacks in recent years, they have seen success in developing solid quarterbacks who go on to compete at the professional level.
Currently, the Texas Longhorns have a promising quarterback in Quinn Ewers, who is drawing attention from NFL scouts. Ewers, who transferred to Texas after starting his college career at Ohio State, has shown flashes of brilliance during his time in Austin. With a strong arm and impressive mobility, Ewers has the potential to be a future NFL star. While he still has room for growth and refinement, the Cowboys could be keeping a close eye on him as a potential backup or even a long-term investment, depending on his development and the trajectory of his career.
The possibility of the Cowboys considering a quarterback from Texas is especially compelling given the current landscape of the Longhorns’ quarterback room. For Dallas, the local connection would provide a boost in terms of familiarity with the Texas football scene, but also the potential to find a hidden gem within their own backyard. The combination of talented quarterbacks coming from Texas and the Cowboys’ need for a backup could result in the perfect storm for selecting a young, up-and-coming quarterback.
3. Quarterback Options from Texas: Who Could Fit the Cowboys’ Needs?
While Quinn Ewers is undoubtedly the top quarterback on the Texas Longhorns’ roster, there are other options to consider if the Cowboys decide to look to Austin for their backup quarterback.
Quinn Ewers: The Franchise’s Future or a Solid Backup?
Quinn Ewers has been highly touted since his high school days and was regarded as one of the top quarterback recruits in the country. After spending a year at Ohio State, Ewers transferred to Texas, where he showed flashes of why he was once considered a potential number-one overall pick in the NFL draft. The 2024 season saw Ewers grow in maturity and ability, leading the Longhorns to a successful year and showing off his impressive arm strength, poise under pressure, and ability to lead an offense.
While Ewers’ future in the NFL seems bright, he is still a relatively unpolished prospect who could use more time to develop before making a jump to the professional ranks. The Dallas Cowboys could see value in bringing him in as a backup option who would provide a long-term investment. With Prescott in his 30s, Ewers could be the eventual heir to the quarterback position if he continues to develop.
However, Ewers’ progression in college will be key. If he continues to improve and gain confidence, the Cowboys might consider investing in him as a future starting quarterback. If Ewers becomes the team’s backup, the Cowboys would have a young, talented quarterback waiting in the wings — a prospect who could step up if needed or develop into the Cowboys’ next starting quarterback in the future.
Maalik Murphy: A Physical Specimen With Potential
Another Texas Longhorns quarterback who could pique the interest of the Dallas Cowboys is Maalik Murphy. Murphy, a highly touted recruit out of California, possesses a rare blend of size, arm strength, and mobility. He stands at 6’5″ and has the type of physical attributes that scouts salivate over, but his development has been slower compared to Ewers. Despite this, Murphy has shown flashes of brilliance when given the opportunity to play.
Murphy’s physical tools make him an intriguing backup option. While he has struggled with consistency in his time at Texas, his potential is undeniable. The Cowboys could see him as a developmental quarterback who could sit behind Prescott and learn for a few years. Should Murphy hit his ceiling, he could provide a solid option for the Cowboys, both as a reliable backup and possibly even as a future starter.
The Longhorns’ System and Fit for the Cowboys
One of the key factors in the Cowboys’ potential interest in a quarterback from Texas is the system fit. The Longhorns run a pro-style offense that emphasizes a strong passing game, which is in line with the system the Cowboys run. The familiarity with the NFL-style offense would help ease the transition for any Texas quarterback looking to make the jump to the pros, making Ewers or Murphy potentially ideal candidates for a backup role.
Additionally, the Cowboys’ offensive system is one that favors mobility and the ability to make plays under pressure. This would align well with the skills both Ewers and Murphy bring to the table. The Cowboys’ familiarity with the Texas system, as well as their proximity to Austin, would make this a convenient and logical partnership.
4. How the Cowboys Could Proceed: Draft or Free Agency?
There are two primary avenues the Dallas Cowboys could pursue to find their backup quarterback: through the NFL Draft or free agency.
- NFL Draft: If the Cowboys decide to use the draft to find their backup, they could target quarterbacks like Ewers or Murphy in the early rounds, depending on their performance and stock by draft day. With the Cowboys holding valuable draft capital, selecting a quarterback with high upside could make sense. Given the need for long-term stability at the position, the Cowboys may opt to draft a younger, talented player from Texas who can develop behind Prescott and potentially take over in the future.
- Free Agency: Alternatively, the Cowboys could look to sign a veteran backup quarterback in free agency to provide more immediate insurance behind Prescott. This could be a more immediate solution, particularly if the Cowboys want to bolster their depth in case of injury to Prescott, but it would not address the long-term outlook at the position.