Let's read too much into Prescott following Washington on IG originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Dak Prescott followed the Washington Football Team on Instagram.
That’s right. The quarterback of the rival Dallas Cowboys, someone with reason to not be completely satisfied with his current situation, followed his team’s most hated rival -- a team that just so happens to be in the market for a quarterback -- on social media.
It almost feels silly to read too much into what it means, if anything, and he has since unfollowed the team after it was noticed on Monday, but it may not mean nothing. Besides Dallas and Washington, Prescott wasn’t following any of the other 30 NFL teams on IG.
It could be as little as an accidental tap of the follow button, or a good troll job, but it could also be a subtle hint that he wouldn’t mind trading sides.
Earlier Monday, the Cowboys released their hype video for next season and Prescott was a notable omission. While it’s reasonable for someone who isn’t yet under contract for 2021 to be missing from the video, some could interpret his absence as a signal the team isn’t as committed to making sure he’s back as they want people to believe. Prescott’s brother was certainly perplexed by the video.
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If Prescott is upset with the Cowboys, who franchise tagged him last season after being unable to come to terms on a long-term deal, a desire to play in Washington would make a ton of sense. The Football Team is in the market for a starting quarterback and would give Prescott a chance to play and show his former employer it made a mistake twice every season.
But that also may be why it’s unlikely Prescott ends up in Washington this year.
Related: Prescott congratulates Alex Smith, thanks him for being a 'huge inspiration'
According to reports, Dallas will franchise tag him again if the sides fail to reach a long-term deal by the March 9 deadline. While that potentially will not sit well with Prescott, who suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle while playing on the tag last season, Dallas wouldn’t dare trade him within the division.
Prescott is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery and expected to be ready for the start of the 2021 season. If tagged, he could make around $37.7 million and test free agency in 2022. If there was ever a future for him in Washington, that’s likely when it would come to fruition -- and that’s only if Washington doesn’t find a permanent solution this offseason.
The Football Team knows firsthand what Prescott is capable of. He’s 7-1 in eight starts against Washington, averaging 233.3 yards per game with a total of 13 touchdowns and just one interception. It’s unlikely they pry him from Dallas this year, but after gaining a new follower, it’s at least worth an inquiry.
