Could Dak Prescott and Bill Belichick team up in 2025 — on the Giants?
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys found out who they'll open the 2024 season against on Monday, hoping to embark on a Super Bowl quest when they take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 1.
That matchup could also serve as the start of the quarterback's last dance in Dallas. Prescott is entering the final season of his four-year deal and appears to be headed for unrestricted free agency barring an extension agreement that currently looks to be on hold.
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As the Cowboys and Prescott haven't agreed to a new deal yet, "First Things First" host Nick Wright continued his belief that the quarterback could end up with a division rival — and that he'll join a storied head coach in the process.
"I think it is on the board that Dak Prescott and Bill Belichick are a package deal next season to the New York Giants," Wright said on Tuesday's "The Herd." "Bill gets to come back from the Giants, they get to steal away the Cowboys' quarterback and answer that problem.
"Everywhere Bill could go, it's like, ‘Well, the job’s open, probably because they don't have a quarterback.' Bill's already gone through that. I think Bill and Dak could go and you could remake an entire organization. … I think the New York Giants are a very viable option."
Wright first opined that the Giants could be a landing spot for both the Cowboys quarterback and former New England Patriots in the leadup to the 2024 NFL Draft in April, believing that it might be unlikely they would select a quarterback with the sixth overall pick then.
"If you are the Mara family, you have the sixth pick in the draft," Wright said two days prior to the draft. "But a lot of people have a team trading up in front of you, and you don't draft a quarterback. … You have another year with Daniel Jones, which means you have another disappointing season. And you have the opportunity in the offseason to say ‘Hey, we’re gonna bring in Dak Prescott to be our quarterback, and Bill Belichick to be our head coach.'"
Despite some speculation that they would draft a quarterback, head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen opted to select LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers instead. The move could wind up costing Daboll and Schoen their job if the Giants finish toward the bottom of the standings again.
If so, Wright claimed that adding Belichick and Prescott would instantly restore the Giants to what they have been many times in the past — one of the "prestige franchises" in the entire NFL.
"By the way, the Giants aren't the only team that could do that, but with Bill Belichick floating out there, and Dak Prescott the best quarterback in forever to [potentially] hit true free agency," Wright said, "[There is] the ability for any franchise, to with the stroke of a check, remake the entire version of their team. Greatest coach ever, one of the best quarterbacks to ever leave via free agency [in his prime]."
Of course, there is some time and other obstacles that could prevent the Giants from making that into a reality. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has stated his confidence that Prescott will stay in Dallas for many years to come.
Hiring Belichick would be a bit easier for the Giants, though. He has not found a new home after parting from the Patriots in January, ending a 24-year run that brought New England all six of his Super Bowls. He interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons for their head coaching vacancy shortly after leaving New England, but that position was filled by former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
The eight-time Super Bowl champion still wants to coach and is reportedly interested in potential openings next season in Dallas, Philadelphia, and, yes, the New York Giants. All three current coaches — Mike McCarthy, Nick Sirianni and Daboll — all have various levels of pressure on them after dissappointing finishes to the 2023 season. Belichick previously won two Super Bowls there during his stint as defensive coordinator under legendary Giants head coach Bill Parcells from 1985-90.
Related:
- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott says he doesn't fear future, whether in Dallas or elsewhere
- Jerry Jones preaches 'timing' in Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons talks
- Robert Kraft reportedly warned Falcons 'not to trust' Bill Belichick
Wright's co-host Chris Broussard also believes Belichick and Prescott could team up — but in Dallas, not New York.
"This is better to me — bring Belichick to Dallas," Broussard asserted. "This is my warning to Jerry Jones and Dak, with all of their flaws. Jerry Jones, you have a quarterback that I think theoretically you can win a Super Bowl with. And be careful, because it could be five to 10 years before you get another guy like this."
Prescott's age-30 season was one of his best in the NFL. He completed a career-high 410 passes (69.5 percent of his attempts) for 4,516 yards, tossing 36 touchdowns to just nine interceptions and reaching his third Pro Bowl.
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