When the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott went down against the Giants, everyone knew it was bad.
Players and fans were sick to their stomach for the star QB for both his injury and the fact that he hadn’t received the contract he deserved from Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. Now everyone is cheering for his recovery, and all Cowboys’ fans are praying that he comes back healthy and receives the right deal from the team.
But what should Dak do?
Should he re-sign with the team that obviously didn’t show him the same type of respect that he showed them, or should he bounce to a new team? If his decision is the latter, I have a perfect place for him.
Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now before all of my fellow Steeler Nation fans pounce, allow me to elaborate.
On Sunday night, the Browns marched into Pittsburgh and demolished the Steelers, 48 – 27. At the end of the game, fans watched Ben Roethlisberger sit dejectedly on the bench, tearing flowing down his face. It was an emotional loss, one that saw Big Ben go 47 for 68 for 501 yards with 4 TDs and 4 INTs, a stat line that also saw him set a regular and post-season record for completions in a game. If that was his last game as a Steeler or in the NFL, either due to retirement or the team deciding to part ways with him, it was a bittersweet ending for the future Hall of Famer.
The end of the Big Ben era would leave the team with limited options. Mason Rudolph has proven that he’s not Roethlisberger’s heir apparent, and Joshua Dobbs is a third-stringer who isn’t moving up anytime soon. So unless the team somehow convinced the Jags or Jets to give up either of their top two picks to select Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields or Zach Wilson, the Steelers would have to look elsewhere for a good quarterback to fill Ben’s Hall of Fame worthy shoes.
Enter Dak Prescott.
In 2021, Dak would be entering his sixth season in the NFL, one year removed from his gruesome injury. Assuming he is on pace to start the beginning of the season under center, Dak would immediately fill the void left by Ben’s retirement/departure. The two-time Pro Bowler has thrown for 15,778 yards with 97 TDs and 36 INTs in his first four seasons. Prior to his injury, he had thrown for 1,856 yards with 9 TDs and 4 INTs in 2020. He also brings the threat of the run game with him, amassing a stat line of 1,314 yards and 24 TDs over this same period of time, which enhances his value to a team that struggled to run the ball during the second half of the season.
Dak would also bring leadership to the team. Pair him with Ju Ju Smith-Schuster, Dionte Johnston, and Chase Claypool and you don’t miss a beat. Actually, you might add a few beats as the deep ball would return with Dak under center, allowing the offense to spread its wings once again.
While this sounds promising, it comes down to the team, money and Dak wanting to trade in one star for three. Big Ben is scheduled to make $41,250,000 in 2021, and with the cap possibly being lowered this season, that’s a difficult figure to justify when the team has a variety of holes to fill. Dak, an unrestricted free agent who had a one-year, $31.4 million guaranteed contract with the Cowboys this past season, is an attractive option as he’s younger, more versatile and would command less money. So through an emotional separation with Big Ben, and some financial wizardry by Steelers’ GM Kevin Colbert, the money Dak is seeking could suddenly appear.
There’s nothing wrong with imagining a Steelers’ offense led by Dak under center, and after watching a devastated Big Ben crying on the bench Sunday night, this scenario has some potential. If the Pats and Tom Brady could separate, it’s realistic that any other team and their long-time star could do the same. And unless the Steelers somehow bring in Gregg Williams to be their defensive coordinator, their defense always gives them a real shot at winning games, so Dak won’t have the problems on the other side of the ball that he currently has in Dallas.
After Sunday night’s loss to the Browns, Roethlisberger was visibly upset but stated his desire to return to the Steelers next season.
“It’s going to start between me and God,” said Roethlisberger. “Lot of praying. And a lot of talking with my family. I still have a year left on my contract. I hope the Steelers want me back if that’s the way we go.”
If that’s not the chosen way then Dak should consider picking up the phone if the Steelers call, especially if he wants to follow the path of Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
