Selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft from Mississippi State, Dak Prescott was initially seen by scouts as a developmental project behind veteran Tony Romo. When Romo suffered a preseason back injury and was sidelined, Prescott was thrust into the spotlight. He responded spectacularly, recording one of the most impressive debut seasons ever for a quarterback in professional football. Prescott led the Cowboys to a 13–3 record, threw 23 touchdowns with only four interceptions, and achieved a career-high 104.9 passer rating. His outstanding performance earned him the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and a spot in the Pro Bowl.

Prescott quickly proved himself as a resilient, dual-threat quarterback, blending sharp pre-snap reads with excellent pocket mobility. In his early years, he guided Dallas to several NFC East division titles, consistently performing in the air while also adding a threatening running element near the goal line. In 2019, he demonstrated his explosive vertical passing skills by throwing for a career-high 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns, establishing himself as a top-tier volume passer.

Despite a devastating ankle injury ending his 2020 season prematurely, Prescott made a remarkable recovery in 2021. He set a franchise single-season record with 37 touchdown passes, led Dallas to another 12-win season, and was the runner-up for the Comeback Player of the Year award. During this period, his leadership of the offense improved greatly, effectively combining daring downfield throws with careful, short-yardage plays.

His standout performance in 2023 marked a peak in his career, as Prescott led the league's highest-scoring offense. He topped the NFL in touchdown passes for the first time, throwing 36 touchdowns with only nine interceptions for 4,516 yards. This exceptional season earned him his third Pro Bowl selection and a Second-Team All-Pro honor, while he also finished as the runner-up for the AP NFL MVP award.

After a widely publicized offseason contract dispute, Dallas signed Prescott to a record-breaking extension before the 2024 season, making him the highest-paid player in league history at that point. However, his 2024 season was difficult; following an inconsistent offensive start, Prescott sustained a significant partial hamstring avulsion in Week 9, which led to season-ending surgery. He played only eight games, threw for 1,978 yards, and scored 11 touchdowns.

Returning fully healthy for the 2025 season, Prescott re-established himself as the heartbeat of the Cowboys' attack. He started all 17 games, rebounding with another productive aerial campaign, throwing for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns, while reaching major career milestones and earning his fourth career Pro Bowl selection. Heading into the 2026 season—his 11th year leading America's Team—Prescott sits as the Cowboys' all-time passing leaderboards’ anchor, behind only Tony Romo and Troy Aikman.

Prescott has thus far played 139 games, passing for 35,989 yards, 243 touchdowns, and 92 interceptions, with 2,115 rushing yards and 31 rushing touchdowns. A four-time Pro Bowler (2016, 2018, 2023, 2025), All-Pro, and Walter Payton Man of the Year(2022), Prescott aims in 2026 for a deep playoff run to secure his legacy among franchise legends.