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Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Shares Retirement Goal Amid NFL Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 6:56 PM ET

Dak Prescott signed a record four-year, $240 million contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys in September 2024, which made him the highest-paid player in league history.

With three years still remaining on his contract after this season, Prescott will be 35 years old by the time his deal expires, raising questions about whether it could be his final NFL contract.

When asked by ESPN's Todd Archer on Thursday about how long he sees himself playing for, Prescott reportedly offered a plain retirement plan.

"Forties would be a good number," Prescott said. "I've been through some injuries; played very physical in college. So, if I can get to 40 playing at the standard that I want, that would be awesome."

Dak Prescott is signed through 2028 when he will be 35 years old but can see playing longer. “Forties would be a good number. I've been through some injuries; played very physical in college so if I can get to 40 playing at the standard that I want, that would be awesome.”
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 9, 2025

Through the first five weeks of the 2025 campaign, Prescott has been one of the NFL’s top-performing quarterbacks.

He ranks second in passing yards (1,356), tied for third in touchdowns (10), is tied for fifth in completion percentage (71.3%) and has the third-highest QBR in the league (76.5).

Those results have Dallas back in conversations about playoff contention and have made Prescott’s longevity talk feel less like fantasy.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

This moment fits into a larger pattern in the NFL where quarterbacks are playing longer and exceptional conditioning plus schematic design have stretched careers.

Tom Brady famously played into his mid-40s, while Aaron Rodgers is 41 years old and starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Matthew Stafford, who turns 38 in February, is currently leading the NFL in passing yards (1,503).

Prescott’s comment places him in that conversation, though playing into your 40s is still rare and depends on health, play style and where the team stands in terms of contention.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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