Dallas Cowboys quarterback sensation Dak Prescott has been at the center of NFL gossip. His performance on the field, renegotiation of his contract, or speculations regarding a trade have made him the center of attention as one of the most debated players in the league. Gossip some weeks back suggested that Dak Prescott and the Cleveland Browns might be on the same team. Given that it’s a franchise that has struggled with quarterback woes and championship speculation, Cleveland’s interest—if at all—is something to monitor. We discuss here the recent Dak Prescott rumors, weigh the ways in which the Browns might bring him into their fold, and handicap where both are headed.
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Dak Prescott’s Performance and Current Standing in the NFL
Dak Prescott is currently the NFL’s top quarterback. He has been consistent since he was drafted by the Cowboys in 2016 and has taken the team to a number of playoff games, and he is also a Pro Bowl player. Dak’s strongest quality is leadership since he possesses a strong arm, is athletic and plays under pressure.
But despite all his individual talent, the Cowboys still have not appeared in the Super Bowl with him as quarterback.
That has generated controversy among enthusiasts and analysts about whether or not Prescott is the best long-term option for Dallas. His detractors believe that despite how good a quarterback he may be, he lacks the wherewithal to guide a team to championship form on his own. Others believe Cowboy’s organizational and coaching level decision-making has kept him from prospering instead of failing.
The Browns’ Quarterback Situation
The Cleveland Browns have been searching for quarterback stability for generations. The Browns at times have been great, but quarterback instability has haunted them far too long. Dozens of seasons of turmoil unraveled until the Browns made a historic trade with the Houston Texans to acquire Deshaun Watson in trying to secure their franchise quarterback.
Watson’s time in Cleveland, however, hasn’t always been so smooth.
His suspension, injury, and roller-coaster performance have done enough to question if the Browns need to keep paying for him. Even after signing a humongous guaranteed contract, Watson’s performance level is suboptimal to make up for what the team is doing. That’s what caused speculative discussions about whether at all, would Cleveland go elsewhere beyond quarterback somewhere high-profile or big-name-like in another room, as say Dak Prescott is.
How Would Dak Prescott Fit in with the Browns?
Signing Dak Prescott would be a whale of a signing that would have monumental implications. The following is the reasons why Prescott would be an ideal fit in Cleveland:
1. Elite Leadership and Experience
The Browns have a solid roster that can match up, but quarterback play is the most important thing. Prescott has a decade of leadership, postseason experience, and a winning record to offer. His presence might give the team the stability and experience that it is so desperately craving.
2. A Strong Supporting Cast
Unlike a few of the rosters Prescott has worked with in Dallas, the Browns do have a good roster. Offensively, the Browns have playmakers Amari Cooper, an old buddy of Prescott’s, Nick Chubb, and David Njoku. Prescott would be provided with a good support cast that he would excel with.
3. A Dominant Defense
One of the easiest criticisms of Prescott’s stint in Dallas has been lacking an elite defense to match the offense. That would no longer be true in Cleveland. With the anchor of an elite defense in Myles Garrett, Prescott would no longer be the sole quarterback holding everything together. Having balance to that extent would enable him to play more at ease and more effectively.
Potential Roadblocks to a Prescott-Browns Agreement
Just because the concept of Prescott in Cleveland is good doesn’t necessarily mean it ever will be:
1. Prescott’s Contract Status
Dak Prescott is contractually tied to the Cowboys until 2024 and has a no-trade clause in his contract. In other words, if the Cowboys did trade him, Prescott would get to veto or negotiate whether he’d go to Cleveland. And his current contract has a massive cap number, so the trade is tough.
2. Browns’ Investment in Deshaun Watson
Cleveland has already made a substantial dollar and draft equity price to get Deshaun Watson. Cutting Watson loose would be swallowing massive financial losses and possibly even admitting their flashy trade was a mistake. Unless Watson’s play starts going in the tank, the Browns won’t be trading another splashy QB soon.
3. Cowboys’ Aversion to Letting Go
As Prescott is closely monitored in Dallas, the Cowboys might not let him go. Jerry Jones has been an enormous admirer of Prescott as the face of the franchise for decades, and only if Dallas believes they possess a decent backup will they make a trade for him.
Latest Dak Prescott News and Speculations
Thus far, there is not a single rumor that has the Browns chasing Prescott. Rumor and gossip, though, cannot be washed in the NFL quarterback spin cycle universe. Offseason next year might be what determines Prescott’s destiny as contract talks, franchise tags, and trade rumors plague the league.
Also, if the Browns cannot do it at quarterback, then speculation on next year’s plan only becomes more credible. Short term, Watson is still their best option, but when things get hard to extreme levels, even other options and trade possibilities – such as getting a Prescott through one – cannot be eliminated for the team.
Conclusion
The Dak Prescott to Cleveland Browns situation is intriguing. But it’s less of a reality today than something to talk about. Prescott is still a quality piece of real estate for the Dallas Cowboys, and the Browns do appear determined to see it through with Deshaun Watson.
That being said, the NFL nature dictates that such can change on a dime in an instant.
If the Cowboys were to shift their focus to their future without Prescott or if the Browns were to realize that they were going to have to do something different at quarterback, a potential matchup between the two clubs would begin making some waves.
For now, at least, Dak Prescott rumors will keep the fans’ and analysts’ conversation going, and the Browns are a team that has to be on any quarterback rumor list. Prescott and the Browns will both have to concern themselves with their respective seasons until then, but as the NFL has also long demonstrated, anything can happen when it comes to player movement and team interest.
