Prescott's Cowboys Are Built Around Him — and He Knows It
Dak Prescott enters the 2026 NFL season with a captain's designation, a roster constructed to protect him, and a former teammate publicly predicting a statistical crown. For Mississippi State's most prominent NFL alumni, the question isn't whether he's the centerpiece in Dallas — it's how high the ceiling goes.
Prescott was named one of four Cowboys captains heading into Week 1, joining defensive additions Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams — both of whom arrived via the Micah Parsons trade — and kicker Brandon Aubrey. The captain's designation is a formal stamp on what the Cowboys already believe: Prescott is the franchise's identity heading into the season.
Former Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, now elsewhere after the blockbuster trade, hasn't forgotten who he used to line up beside. Parsons publicly stated his belief that Prescott can lead the NFL in a key statistical category in 2026, an endorsement that carries weight given how closely he observed Prescott's play. Sports Illustrated noted that Prescott and head coach Brian Schottenheimer put up elite numbers together last season — enough that observers argued the duo deserved a top-10 ranking among QB-coach pairings league-wide, even as a national outlet left them off the list entirely.
The Backup Situation Got Messy — Then Resolved
The week wasn't without turbulence. Dallas waived Joe Milton III to make room on the 53-man roster for running back Emari Demercado, leaving Sam Howell as the sole backup behind Prescott. The move drew sharp commentary from former NFL players, with one calling it "dirty business," and raised eyebrows about whether the Cowboys were maneuvering to quiet any competition narrative around Prescott.
Prescott pushed back on that framing. After Milton was re-signed to the practice squad, Prescott called the reunion a "major win" for the team and went out of his way to check in on Milton publicly, making clear he wanted his former backup to feel valued despite the jarring roster move. The situation appears stabilized heading into Week 1, with Howell on the active roster and Milton available on the practice squad.
More Bulldogs to Watch
Prescott isn't the only Mississippi State alum generating headlines this week. Chris Jones (Chiefs, DE), one of the most decorated defenders in the league with seven Pro Bowl selections, missed a practice during the week with a back injury — but Kansas City expressed no concern about his availability for Week 1.
Decamerion Richardson (CB) had a whirlwind few days. The 2024 fourth-round pick was waived by the Raiders, then quickly claimed off waivers by the Saints, where coach Kellen Moore mentioned him by name as part of New Orleans' growing depth ahead of their Week 1 matchup with Detroit. Richardson joins fellow Bulldogs alum Martin Emerson Jr. in the Saints secondary, giving New Orleans an unmistakable Mississippi State flavor at cornerback.
Tyrus Wheat, a defensive end on Dallas's own roster, gives the Cowboys two active Mississippi State alumni as they open their season.
The 2026 NFL season is underway, and Bulldogs are scattered across the league — but in Dallas, all eyes remain on No. 4.
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