Dak Prescott could become all-time Cowboys leader if he meets his lofty career goal

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has played in the NFL for a decade. That is already significantly longer than the average pro football career, but the veteran feels like he is just getting started.

Prescott was asked by a reporter on Thursday how long he would like to continue playing. The 32-year-old said he can envision himself doing what other Pro Bowl quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers have done since Prescott came into the league.

"Forties would be a good number," Prescott said, via ESPN's Todd Archer. "Obviously, 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, yeah, that would be awesome."

Prescott has had multiple surgeries throughout his NFL career. The most recent was last year, when he suffered a hamstring injury that knocked him out for the second half of the season. He also had thumb surgery in 2022 and ankle surgery in 2020.

Dak Prescott says his perspective has changed

Prescott said there was a point when he never thought about following in the footsteps of some of the great quarterbacks who have stretched their careers beyond their 40th birthdays. He told reporters on Thursday that his perspective "has definitely changed."

"I can see it more realistically now. And I think as much as anything, the fun and the peace that this game still gives me 10 years in is going to be hard [to move on from]. You can't supplement it, so as long as I can do this at a level that I'm proud and happy with, I'll keep trying," Prescott said.

With 32,793 career passing yards, Prescott is already one of the best quarterbacks in Cowboys history. He needs just 150 passing yards to move past Troy Aikman, who is second on Dallas' all-time passing list with 32,942. Tony Romo is first with 34,183 yards, so that mark is well within reach for Prescott this season as well.

If Prescott manages to play eight-plus more seasons and remains with the Cowboys, he will likely own virtually every statistical passing record for the franchise. Of course, none of that will matter unless he can win a Super Bowl. Assuming good health, the pursuit of a championship could very well be the deciding factor in how long Prescott chooses to play.