One notable step came in 2023 when the Cowboys acquired Trey Lance. While Lance was once a top-three draft choice, the arrangement did not yield a definitive, long-term solution for Dallas. The former high-upside prospect ultimately did not establish himself as a clear successor, and he later signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Dallas did not stop there. In the 2025 offseason, the Cowboys acquired quarterback Joe Milton, signaling a continued interest in adding a young arm with potential. Yet the search for a true quarterback of the future persisted, with speculation and rumors continuing to swirl around possible targets.
Reported discussions suggested Dallas was open to a bold, high-stakes move for a specific developmental quarterback. There was chatter about the Cowboys being willing to use a conditional second-round pick to select Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby if the NFL had hosted a supplemental draft. This line of thought was reported by sources connected to Cowboys coverage at the time, highlighting Dallas’s interest in adding a quarterback who could sit behind Prescott and develop.
To recap the Brendan Sorsby storyline: Sorsby faced eligibility challenges after admitting to gambling on college games, including games involving his own team. The NFL ultimately did not implement a supplemental draft for that cycle, which blocked the path for a bid via that route. Nonetheless, reports indicated Dallas could have been prepared to use a second-round pick to secure Sorsby as a developmental option behind Prescott, illustrating the front office’s willingness to take calculated risks in pursuit of a quarterback with size, arm talent, and athleticism.
Sorsby’s college career included a transfer from Cincinnati to Texas Tech. He accumulated strong production in two seasons as a college starter, including more than 5,600 passing yards and 45 touchdowns, along with substantial rushing ability. His on-field results, combined with notable physical tools, had NFL evaluators weighing his potential as a future pro. Analyses at the time suggested that, while not perfect, his combination of size, arm strength, speed, and pocket feel could translate into a plus starter at the professional level. If able to regain eligibility and resume playing, Sorsby’s draft stock could have been significant, potentially even in the first round in certain evaluative frameworks.
Off the field, Sorsby drew attention for his NIL value, with estimates projecting a high six-figure, possibly multi-million-dollar annual endorsement potential due to his profile at Texas Tech. NIL valuations can be volatile and influenced by various factors, but the general takeaway was that Sorsby’s marketability could be substantial as a college player and as he progressed toward the NFL.
Looking ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft, Sorsby was viewed by some analysts as a potential first-round talent, depending on his development and circumstances. Evaluators cited his size, arm talent, mobility, and quarterback feel as factors that could sustain him as a high-round pick, even as the gambling controversy posed a complicating backdrop. Analysts noted that sitting for a year could aid his development, given the typical learning curve for quarterbacks transitioning to the league.
Meanwhile, Dak Prescott remains the incumbent starter for Dallas, with a massive contract extending through the late 2020s. Prescott is currently in his early 30s, a period during which many NFL quarterbacks sustain long, productive careers. The Cowboys’ front office has shown a willingness to pursue young quarterbacks who could be groomed for a future leadership role, even as Prescott continues to lead the team.
As the franchise looks to balance immediate needs with long-term planning, it will be important to monitor how aggressively Dallas pursues quarterback upgrades. Milton’s development and potential progression could influence the decision-making timeline, but the overarching objective appears to be identifying a quarterback who can grow under Prescott’s tutelage and transition into a future starter when the time is right.
In summary, the Cowboys have maintained a strategy of exploring developmental quarterback options to supplement Prescott, signaling that the organization remains open to bold moves and careful scouting as they prepare for the quarterback transition that will arrive someday. The pursuit of the next signal-caller is likely to continue shaping the team’s roster-building decisions in the coming years, with a focus on balancing quarterback development, draft capital, and long-term franchise stability.
