Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance and New England Patriots signal-caller Joe Milton both got home starts on Sunday in their teams' final regular-season games of the 2024 season.

Lance got the nod against the Washington Commanders, while Milton went to work against the Buffalo Bills.

Lance fared well in his first start since Week 2 of the 2022 season, when he played for the San Francisco 49ers. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft completed 20-of-34 passes for 244 yards in a 23-19 loss to Washington. He also rushed for 26 yards on six carries.

Meanwhile, Milton propelled the Pats to a 23-16 victory, completing 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 15 yards and another score. The ex-Tennessee star did his work against the Bills' backups with Buffalo previously clinching the AFC's No. 2 seed, but he still impressed nonetheless.

Lance and Jalen Tolbert (four catches, 98 yards) had a good thing going all game. Tolbert was the Cowboys' de-facto top wideout with superstar CeeDee Lamb out with a sprained AC joint.

Trey finds JT 🎯

📺: #WASvsDAL on FOX
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/LppeKtPsb2

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 5, 2025

19 ➡️ 1@treylance09 to @Jalen8Tolbert!

📺: #WASvsDAL on FOX
📲: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/37KFppNs5v

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 5, 2025

Lance added some explosive plays to the Cowboys' arsenal on this day.

Trey Lance has three completions of more than 30 yards today. That's the most 30+ the Cowboys have had in a game this season. And they have yet to score a TD

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 5, 2025

Dallas added Lance via trade from the 49ers in Aug. 2023. Lance was once the quarterback of the future in San Francisco, but he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the second game of the 2022 campaign. Later that year, Brock Purdy took over as QB1 and never looked back.

He didn't pay at all in 2023 and threw just seven passes in 2024 before Sunday but got his chance against Washington.

Lance certainly wasn't perfect—he notably short-armed a potential touchdown throw to a wide-open Rico Dowdle on fourth down that would have given Dallas a 12-3 lead in the second quarter—but he did well enough for Dallas to win.

However, the Commanders marched 91 yards down the field in 11 plays, capped by a five-yard Terry McLaurin touchdown catch with three seconds left.

Still, Lance did impress folks with his work.

I saw three throws and I’m back in on Trey Lance

— Big Game Bengal (@BengalYouTube) January 5, 2025

nothing too flashy but this is the most normal and settled Trey Lance has ever looked in the NFL

— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) January 5, 2025

Finding joy watching Trey Lance... first time enjoying football all season

— 🫵👍 (@AndyKHLiu) January 5, 2025

Trey Lance doesn’t have a noodle arm. And can run. Wish we had seen more of him this year.

— ✭ 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒂 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 ✭ (@ParisaMichelle) January 5, 2025

Trey Lance today pic.twitter.com/SFzC1bvItr

— Tony Starks 🌚 (@portman7387) January 5, 2025

Trey Lance has always been a great 2nd half QB. Starts a little slow and turns it on at the end as he is more comfortable. He needs the reps he needs to play. He’s looking good. Hopefully he gets his shot in the future and hopefully he ends the game strong. #treylance great game pic.twitter.com/vtVIxn9U00

— David Bousquet (@Djbousquet) January 5, 2025

Trey Lance elite? pic.twitter.com/rPF7bErAhR

— a (@DakHOF) January 5, 2025

Like what I've seen so far from Trey Lance. He has big talent, high character. He just has to display consistent accuracy and poise and careful decision-making.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 5, 2025

Trey Lance looks good

He will get paid in Free Agency
He has a shot to be very good

Love his skill set

— Jeff Bates (@jeffbatesonx) January 5, 2025

Trey Lance is playing solid to not have Lamb out there

— BigDawgJaye (@MrJayLHunter) January 5, 2025

In New England, franchise rookie quarterback Drake Maye got the start, but Milton soon swooped in. He impressed with his rocket arm and mobility to evade oncoming Bills defenders.

Milton got going early with this laser to Pop Douglas.

.@Qbjayy7 starting early to @popshotta3!

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/M1Hhr3Fhlf

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 5, 2025

Later in the quarter, Milton kept the ball for a one-yard rush and celebrated with a back flip.

A @Qbjayy7 keeper!!

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Kv1DIjhJp4

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 5, 2025

That first @NFL TD feeling @Qbjayy7 ‼️@budlight | #EasyToCelebrate

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/tmdGwoMSTN

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 5, 2025

Milton had a bunch of highlights, including this one to Keyshon Boutte, who finished with seven catches and 117 yards. Here, Boutte snagged a 48-yard touchdown after Milton ran away from the defense and threw cross-body to an open Boutte, putting New England up 13-7.

.@Qbjayy7 finds @KayshonBoutte1 free 🚀

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/b4euSqfEoz

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 5, 2025

The Milton-Douglas combo worked again later in the third quarter.

An absolute laser from @Qbjayy7 🔥@popshotta3 | #NEPats

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/XGo8YO0RPa

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 5, 2025

In the fourth, Milton made an unbelievable play to run away from Bills defenders yet again to find Douglas for a 25-yard touchdown, but it was called back for holding.

Joe Milton with one of the best "plays that didn't count" of the season pic.twitter.com/NuwGLcLfwD

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 5, 2025

That drive ended with a field goal from Joey Slye, who added another one later in the quarter for the 23-16 win.

Not every Patriots fan may be happy as the Patriots' win ended their chances to get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Still, Milton was awfully impressive in his first-ever NFL action.

Patriots fans to Joe Milton pic.twitter.com/iLp9pQi4Fe

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) January 5, 2025

Joe Milton when the Patriots are trying to lose for the No. 1 pick pic.twitter.com/t2xIQlEHv2

— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) January 5, 2025

Patriots fans who want the #1 pick watching Joe Milton erupt pic.twitter.com/dk7AETbPlK

— Brycen 🧲 (@Brycen2047) January 5, 2025

Patriots coaching staff: Okay Joe, just take it easy out there. Nothing crazy.

Joe Milton III: pic.twitter.com/ISjEIA3ZHg

— Jake (@JakeWallinger) January 5, 2025

The Joe Milton haters are sick watching him carve up an NFL defense pic.twitter.com/713nRFEK2V

— Dylan Holt (@DylanHolt_) January 5, 2025

No. 1 pick on the line and we got Joe Milton looking like the greatest QB in the history of the NFL out there. We just can’t have nice things.

— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) January 5, 2025

Joe Milton vs Mitch Trubisky on a random Sunday afternoon pic.twitter.com/AyJ3AtgF4z

— 𝔍𝔬𝔢𝔶𝔇𝔲𝔟🦬 (@17forMVP) January 5, 2025

joe milton rocks but NOT NOW. JOSEPH. NOT NOW.

— brianna pirre (@bsp_13) January 5, 2025

I don't care that he's playing backups, Joe Milton's accuracy and decision-making have far exceeded my expectations

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) January 5, 2025

Folks were SCREAMING for Joe Milton all week and now they’re worried cause they thought he’d be giga-ass but he kinda hooping 😂😂😂

Ball out Bazooka!

— McGarvin (@PatriotsPOV) January 5, 2025

In an eventful Week 18, Lance and Milton fared well enough to make an imprint on the regular season's final day.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush would have received $500,000 in incentives if he played 55 percent of the team's offensive snaps this season. However, that won't happen after Dallas benched Rush for Trey Lance on Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports provided more information on Rush:

Cowboys QB Cooper Rush gets $500,000 in incentives if he plays 55% of the team's snaps this season.

Going into Sunday he's played 52.5%. Depending on snaps, he'll need to play most or all of the game to reach that incentive, otherwise he'll only earn $250k for reaching 45% mark

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 2, 2025

Justin DeSales of The Dallas Express also offered more insight.

"Dallas has averaged roughly 68 offensive snaps per game this season and could likely reach this number against Washington if the game gets out of hand, which would be beneficial for Rush if the team opted to start him over Lance, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

"Participating in every snap in this game, assuming the team reaches exactly 68 snaps, would result in Rush playing in 55.1% of the Cowboys' snaps this season and reaching the minimum number for his incentive.

"Rather than reward him for the effort this season with the opportunity to reach his goal, the team is opting to give Lance significantly more play time and effectively deny Rush's incentives."

Rush played 12 games and started eight after Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Lance, the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, joined the Cowboys via trade from the San Francisco 49ers in Aug. 2023. He didn't get any playing time last year and has only thrown seven passes in mop-up duty at the end of two blowouts this season.

Lance also remains a mystery after sitting his rookie season for veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in 2021. He became the QB1 in 2022 but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in his second game. In the latter portion of the season, San Francisco turned to Brock Purdy, who has remained the team's QB1 ever since.

Overall, Lance has thrown just 109 passes and rushed 59 times in four years, so it makes sense to give him a full game and see what the team has in him.

However, this decision also looks cold on the surface given Rush's contract incentives. It's also a bit puzzling considering that Dallas has been out of the playoff picture for three Sundays now, but Lance only saw enough playing time for one pass and one rush in a 41-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday.

Rush kept Dallas respectable after Prescott went down, with the team going 4-4 in his starts. For the season, he completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns (just five interceptions). Dallas also had a good stretch where the team won four of five games, including an impressive road win against the 11-victory Washington Commanders, 34-26.

So Rush certainly helped Dallas from seeing its season completely collapse down the stretch as it hopes for brighter days in the future. In theory, the Cowboys could still pay the incentive as an act of good will and thanks for Rush's services this year. But that incentive won't be triggered via the snap count percentage after Dallas opted to roll with Lance.

Even though Jerry Jones has left the door open for Mike McCarthy to potentially return next season, the Dallas Cowboys are keeping their options open with the regular season coming to an end on Sunday.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Cowboys have started doing "homework" on potential candidates if they either don't bring McCarthy back or can't agree to terms on an extension before his contract expires on Jan. 14.

Jones has already said nothing that happens in Week 18 is going to have an impact either way on McCarthy's status.

"The hay is in the barn, really, as far as our staff is concerned and the qualities of each of the coaches. I don't think that something that would happen out here Sunday would impact where we are going to be as we go forward," Jones said Friday on 105.3 The Fan (h/t Fox 4 News). "It doesn't have any effort on my part to look and see the positives of what we've had as a team under Mike McCarthy."

The expiration date on McCarthy's contract is notable because it gives the Cowboys a window of nine days after Sunday's season finale to exclusively negotiate with him and deny potential requests from other teams that might want to speak with him.

Per Jay Glazer of Fox Sports (starts at 1:10 mark), McCarthy is on the list of candidates for other teams that will be seeking a head coach this offseason.

It's time for the Inside Scoop with @JayGlazer:
▫️ Chiefs expected to rest key starters in Week 18
▫️ Jalen Hurts has not cleared concussion protocol; Kenny Pickett will start for the Eagles
▫️ Entire Cowboys coaching staff's contracts expire in two weeks pic.twitter.com/dl1q4nIOc4

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 29, 2024

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Thursday that McCarthy would likely have interest in the Chicago Bears' job if he does end up leaving Dallas.

The Bears are one of three teams that currently have a coaching vacancy, along with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints. Other jobs that could become available include the Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants.

There's no indication from Russini's report which candidates the Cowboys are doing background work on. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores are among the top names in the upcoming coaching cycle.

McCarthy has as 49-34 record in five seasons with the Cowboys. He led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2021 to '23, including two NFC East titles during that span.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance is expected to get "significant snaps" for the first time this season against the Washington Commanders in Week 18, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

"There's a lot they can learn from this game, including, what is Trey Lance actually like when he plays?" Rapoport said Friday on NFL Network's The Insiders.

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The #Cowboys have a decision to make on coach Mike McCarthy, but with the hay in the barn for the final game, sources say QB Trey Lance is expected to play his first significant snaps of the season. pic.twitter.com/QyvtzJ5aml

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 4, 2025

Lance has made three brief appearances in the eight games since Dak Prescott's season-ending injury, while Cooper Rush has handled the majority of the snaps.

Sunday's game has no playoff implications for the eliminated Cowboys, although the team could play spoiler by bumping the Commanders as low as the No. 7 seed.

McCarthy has not yet named a starter for Week 18, and he indicated earlier this week that he was considering giving other players time at the position.

"We want to make sure that we do have information on our young players... I'd like to be in a position where everybody plays. I think that would be practical," McCarthy said Monday, per CBS Sports' Garrett Podell.

Lance last saw significant action during his single preseason start for the Cowboys. He played every snap in a 26-19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 24, when his 413 all-purpose yards were marred by five interceptions.

Since then he has played a total of 20 offensive snaps during the regular season, rushing five times for 15 yards and connecting on five of seven pass attempts for 22 yards and an interception.

Lance said this week that he "absolutely" believes he could be a starting quarterback in the NFL. The former first-round pick could get the opportunity to back up that statement if he is able to show off his two-way game against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.

McCarthy's decision could potentially be a costly one for Rush. Per Spotrac, Rush will collect $250,000 in additional incentives if he plays 55 percent of the Cowboys' snaps this season. He had played 52.3 percent of the team's snaps as of Week 17, as noted by The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy's future with the franchise won't be dependent on Week 18.

During an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he doesn't believe anything on Sunday will change the franchise's future decision on McCarthy.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on if there's anything that could happen Sunday that would impact his decision on the future of the team's coaching staff: "The hay is in the barn as far as our staff is concerned. ... I don't think something would happen out here Sunday…

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 3, 2025

"The hay is in the barn as far as our staff is concerned," Jones said. "I don't think something would happen out here Sunday that would impact where we're gonna be as we go forward."

Jones said the available coaches are "not a factor" when determining McCarthy's future.

Jones also did not comment on the potential of bringing in former NFL coach Jon Gruden, stating that Gruden "is a friend" and he would "leave it at that."

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan when asked about Jon Gruden: "I just don't have any comment there at all. Jon is a friend, and let's leave it at that."

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 3, 2025

McCarthy is in the final year of his contract as the Cowboys head coach.

McCarthy has been with the Cowboys since 2020 and has compiled a 49-34 record with three playoff appearances and won two NFC East division titles. His contract expires on Jan. 14, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

Dallas is currently 7-9 and will miss the postseason in 2024. Injuries, including those to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb heavily impacted the season, but a shakeup could be appealing to Jones to maximize the talent on the roster moving forward.

McCarthy's track record and familiarity with the team also could help his case for a potential extension, especially considering Jones doesn't often like to rock the boat. That said, it seems like the owner's mind is already made up.

Even though the Dallas Cowboys season will end on Sunday, Mike McCarthy's contract with the club will actually extend slightly beyond that day.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, McCarthy's deal is set to expire on Jan. 14.

The extra time gives the Cowboys a nine-day window after the end of the season in which McCarthy can only negotiate with them.

McCarthy's camp is making sure to put out feelers for other teams in case he's not back in Dallas next season. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Thursday that McCarthy "could set his sights" on the Chicago Bears job if he leaves the Cowboys.

It would seem likely that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would make a decision, one way or another, before Jan. 14 because other teams in the coaching market will be well into their search by that point.

The NFL did adjust its rules in October 2023 so that in-person interviews with candidates currently employed by other teams have to wait until after the divisional round of the playoffs.

Teams are still permitted to conduct virtual interviews with external candidates, as well as in-person interviews with internal candidates and those not currently employed by a team.

Jones is doing a good job of keeping everyone guessing about his plans for McCarthy.

"What I'm not going to do this morning is to get into any indication one way or the other that I'm not interested in having Mike back," Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan (h/t ESPN's Todd Archer). "I don't want that to be the case at all. We got this game ahead of us, but I'll assure you I've been for weeks thinking about how we'll go forward after this season."

During the same radio appearance, Jones said he's "not under any unusual time frame at all" in terms of feeling like he has to make a quick decision about McCarthy's future after Sunday's season finale against the Washington Commanders.

McCarthy is 49-34 with three playoff appearances and two NFC East titles in five seasons with the Cowboys.

The Dallas Cowboys have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but they haven't shifted their focus to offseason coaching changes just yet.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said the team hasn't "even thought about" the timing of making a decision about head coach Mike McCarthy.

"We've been so focused on this season that we haven't really even thought about it in terms of timing," Jones said on San Antonio's Sports Star (h/t The Athletic's Jon Machota). "Obviously Mike McCarthy and his staff have done a hell of a job for us. We'll really sit down and go over that, but in terms of starting to set up time schedules and those types of things in terms of when we'll make decisions, we haven't gotten to that point."

The Cowboys are sitting at 7-9 on the season and will close out the year with a matchup against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. From there, Dallas will have an offseason to evaluate what it can do to get back into playoff form.

McCarthy took over as the Cowboys head coach ahead of the 2020 season and led Dallas to three consecutive postseason appearances from 2021 to 2023. This year will be the second time in McCarthy's tenure that he didn't reach the playoffs.

Though McCarthy has produced a playoff team more often than not, the Cowboys haven't made it past the divisional round since he took over. Whether he'll get the chance to return as Dallas' head coach and finally find playoff success is to be determined, but the Cowboys apparently aren't rushing a decision.

While the Dallas Cowboys don't have anything on the line in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders, their head coach knows the situation is much different for him personally.

Mike McCarthy is out of contract at the end of the season and he told reporters Thursday he might be coaching in his last game with the team. He said he's "definitely aware of it," though it's not at the forefront of his mind.

Mike McCarthy when asked about Sunday potentially being his last game as Cowboys head coach and if he’ll have to fight the urge to take it all in: “I’ll be honest with you, I go to the stadium much earlier this time in my career than I used to. I won a Super Bowl in that home… pic.twitter.com/OxZDmFB5eR

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 2, 2025

During his regular appearance on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke positively about McCarthy without saying whether the coach will be back.

"Well, I feel good about Mike McCarthy, and the main thing is that I like that job that he's done," he said (via ESPN's Todd Archer). "It's unfortunate we're having the year we had, but I feel good about Mike."

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler followed up Thursday to report that "more industry sources than I expected believe McCarthy has a small chance to stay, in part because of what's considered a weak candidate pool."

The dearth of great candidates across the board, plus the Cowboys' improvement in the second half, might boost McCarthy's stock to the point he could even be in demand elsewhere, too. Fowler said elsewhere in his story there's a belief the the Super Bowl XLV winner could pursue the Chicago Bears job.

Alex Smith: "I think [Mike McCarthy] saved his job."@AdamSchefter: "Maybe."

Schefty believes retaining Mike McCarthy won't be solely on Jerry Jones. McCarthy can take a look at other options 👀 pic.twitter.com/DmjtODjHVD

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 29, 2024

When it comes to McCarthy's future, the pendulum started shifting as the Cowboys went on a stretch of four wins over five weeks, which culminated in a 26-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The performance against Tampa Bay was particularly inspiring because it came after Dallas was officially eliminated from playoff contention.

However, the team laid an egg in a 41-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, a result that certainly didn't help McCarthy's odds of returning.

There's nothing to indicate the coach's fate is tied solely to what unfolds Sunday at AT&T Stadium, but it might be hard for Jones to see the value in maintaining the present course if the Cowboys close the season with two straight lopsided losses.

The Dallas Cowboys have yet to make a decision on the status of head coach Mike McCarthy for the 2025 NFL season, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler reported Thursday that "more industry sources than I expected believe McCarthy has a small chance to stay." He added that the Cowboys "are not leaning in one direction as of this moment" and "will have open and honest talks with McCarthy next week."

Despite the fact the Cowboys are assured of finishing with a losing record regardless of what happens in Week 18, team owner Jerry Jones has maintained a positive tone when discussing McCarthy.

Jerry Jones to @1053thefan on Mike McCarthy: “I don’t know how you cannot say that his team has shown they’ll handle adversity & he can get you there with the injury situation impacting…availability.”

On McCarthy & Mike Zimmer: “So yeah, I give them both high grades this year.”

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 17, 2024

That continued Tuesday, when Jones made his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.

"Well, I feel good about Mike McCarthy, and the main thing is that I like that job that he's done," he said (via ESPN's Todd Archer). "It's unfortunate we're having the year we had, but I feel good about Mike."

McCarthy's exit looked inevitable when Dallas was sitting at 3-7. Then the team won four of its next five games, a stretch that might've done wonders for the job security of its coach.

Alex Smith: "I think [Mike McCarthy] saved his job."@AdamSchefter: "Maybe."

Schefty believes retaining Mike McCarthy won't be solely on Jerry Jones. McCarthy can take a look at other options 👀 pic.twitter.com/DmjtODjHVD

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 29, 2024

Beyond what the Cowboys have done in the second half, Fowler wrote McCarthy may benefit from a "weak candidate pool." Jones and the front office could come to the determination an upgrade isn't readily available after undertaking a cursory examination of the coaching market.

The downside of that approach is that Dallas would pretty much be in the same position it finds itself now. Even assuming McCarthy signed a multiyear extension, most would probably assume he's yet again coaching for his job in 2025. Could he survive a second straight year without qualifying the playoffs?

Retaining McCarthy probably wouldn't be received well within the fanbase, either, setting the stage for another angst-ridden campaign in North Texas.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott discussed his own security following the recent wave of burglaries that have occurred at the homes of professional athletes.

"I can't have it be written about every which way that I go to protect my security because then I'll just be opening a loophole, but I've always understood who I was or where I was, especially being the quarterback of this team and targeted that I am, whether it be for a natural robbery or whether it be for losing a game and whatever," Prescott said, per ESPN's Todd Archer. "I've understood the position that I am in. So, for me it's more about the day and now protecting my fiancée and my daughter."

On Nov. 20, the NFL issued a memo to team security directors and the players' union regarding organized and skilled criminals that were increasingly targeting the homes of professional athletes.

The NBA later followed suit, urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following several high-profile burglaries.

Aaron Katersky and Josh Margolin of ABC News reported on Monday that the FBI issued a formal warning to sports leagues regarding organized theft groups targeting athletes. The report stated that "at least nine professional athletes" were targeted in burglaries including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis.

Prescott explained that the burglary attempts are one of the downsides of fame.

"I mean not everything that comes with it is great, right? You weigh the good with the bad," Prescott said, via Archer. "You understand that, as I said, who we are, what we're subject to, that others can look up and just see how much we make or maybe an address, and that puts us subject to a target. As I said for me and for my teammates, I think for anybody across the league, or anybody of celebrity status, I guess you could say, it's unfortunate but, yeah, we have to take and do what's necessary to protect us and our family."

The three-time Pro Bowl passer appeared in eight games during his 2024 campaign before undergoing season-ending hamstring surgery. Prescott completed 64.7 percent of his throws for 1,978 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with eight interceptions.

Prior to the latest string of burglaries, the 31-year-old revealed that he has been mindful regarding security for himself as well as his family.