Dak Prescott surpasses Tony Romo as Dallas Cowboys' all-time passing leader

On November 24, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Dak Prescott did something no one thought possible when he entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick: he passed Tony Romo as the Dallas Cowboys’ all-time leading passer. It wasn’t a fireworks show. No overtime heroics. Just a quiet, 9-yard crossing route to George Pickens at 21:23 UTC in the third quarter — the moment Prescott’s career total hit 34,184 yards, nudging past Romo’s 34,183. By game’s end, Prescott had piled up 34,378 yards, cementing his place in franchise history — even as his team lost 24-17 to the Philadelphia Eagles.

A Record Built on Consistency, Not Flash

Prescott didn’t break Romo’s record with a single dazzling throw. He did it with 3,033 completions over ten seasons — a number that already made him the Cowboys’ all-time leader in completions before Sunday. He didn’t need to be the most accurate, the most explosive, or even the most beloved. He just had to stay on the field. And he did. After a devastating ankle injury in 2020 nearly ended his career, Prescott returned with a quiet resilience that defined his legacy more than any highlight reel ever could.

Before this game, he was already second in career pass attempts (behind Troy Aikman’s 4,715) and second in touchdown passes (to Romo’s 247). But yards? That was the last major milestone. And now, it’s his.

The Man He Surpassed

Tony Romo was the face of the Cowboys for a decade — a charismatic, gunslinger quarterback who carried the team through the late 2000s and early 2010s. He started 128 games. He threw for 34,183 yards. He was the last Cowboys QB to make the Pro Bowl before Prescott. And for years, he was untouchable. Fans debated whether Romo would ever be surpassed. Many thought Aikman’s records were safe. But Prescott, steady and unflappable, kept chipping away. He didn’t announce it. Didn’t hype it. Just showed up every week, even when the offensive line collapsed, even when the receivers dropped passes — like CeeDee Lamb did for the fifth time in two games against the Eagles.

On the sideline, Romo — now an ESPN analyst — watched from the booth. He didn’t say much on air. But later, in a tweet: “Dak’s got the heart of a Cowboy. No one earned this more.”

Not a Pretty Game — But a Historic One

The performance itself? Messy. The Cowboys’ offense sputtered. They were stopped on fourth down to open the game. KaVontae Turpin fumbled a kick return after tripping over his own feet. Prescott threw an interception in the end zone to Reed Blankenship, the Eagles’ safety. ESPN called it “one of its uglier games under [Prescott’s] watch.”

And yet — the record stood. Because this isn’t about perfection. It’s about longevity. About showing up when the team’s struggling. About playing through pain, criticism, and doubt. Prescott’s career has been defined by this: he’s the guy who keeps throwing, even when no one’s open.

Where He Stands Among Cowboys Legends

Prescott now joins the pantheon of Dallas quarterbacks who defined eras. He’s third in franchise wins (80+), behind only Troy Aikman (94) and Roger Staubach (85). He’s the first Cowboys QB to surpass 34,000 yards since Romo retired in 2017. And he’s done it in fewer games than both — 128 starts for Romo, 144 for Prescott so far. That efficiency matters.

When asked before the game if he ever imagined this, Prescott smiled. “I was arrogant as a rookie,” he said. “I thought I’d be here, doing this, in five years. Turns out, it took ten.”

What’s Next?

Prescott’s contract runs through 2026. At 32, he’s not getting younger. But he’s still playing at a high level. He’s now 1,800 yards away from breaking Aikman’s career attempt record. He’s 70 touchdowns away from catching Romo. And with the Cowboys still in playoff contention, there’s plenty of time left to add to his legacy.

The franchise, now under new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, is building around him — not just for this season, but for the next five years. If he stays healthy, he could finish with over 40,000 yards. That’s Hall of Fame territory. That’s franchise-defining.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about yards. It’s about identity. The Cowboys have always been a quarterback’s team — from Staubach to Aikman to Romo. Now, it’s Prescott’s turn to carry that torch. He didn’t win a Super Bowl. He hasn’t been a perennial All-Pro. But he’s been the constant. The glue. The guy who showed up when the team needed him most.

And now, his name sits atop the franchise record book — where it belongs.