When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys and their fans, the name Joe Montana tends to stir up some memories-and not all of them fond. While it was Steve Young who quarterbacked the San Francisco 49ers against the Cowboys during their epic NFC Championship clashes in the early ’90s, Cowboys fans haven’t forgotten Montana’s legendary moment in the 1981 NFC title game. That was the game where Montana’s iconic pass to Dwight Clark, famously known as “The Catch,” sealed a 28-27 victory over Dallas, paving the way for the 49ers’ first Super Bowl triumph in the ’80s.
Fast forward to today, and there’s a new chapter in the Cowboys-49ers quarterback saga. As we head into the 2026 NFL season, Dak Prescott is on the brink of surpassing Montana in both career passing yards and touchdown passes. For Cowboys fans, this is more than just a stat-it’s a chance to rewrite some history.
Currently, Dak Prescott sits at 35,989 passing yards over his 10 seasons with the Cowboys, placing him at No. 32 on the all-time list. To leapfrog Joe Montana, who is at 40,551 yards in the No. 24 spot, Dak needs 4,563 yards.
It’s a tall order for a single season, but Prescott threw for 4,552 yards just last year, so he’s proven it’s within reach. If he could replicate his career-high of 4,902 yards from 2019, Montana’s spot would certainly be in jeopardy.
But Prescott isn’t just eyeing Montana. He’s also close to cracking the top 25, with Andy Dalton and Jared Goff among those in his sights.
While Dalton might not see much action behind Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, Goff is still very much in the game for Detroit. And let’s not forget Patrick Mahomes, who’s right behind Dak at No.
- It’s going to be a fascinating race to watch as these quarterbacks vie for position.
When it comes to touchdown passes, Prescott is also on the move. With 243 career TDs, he currently ranks 33rd all-time.
To surpass Montana’s 273 touchdown passes, Dak needs 31 more. He’s hit that mark twice in his career, with a personal best of 37 touchdowns in 2021 and 36 in 2023.
Given that he’s also hit 30 touchdowns twice, surpassing Montana seems well within his capabilities.
Reaching the top 20 in touchdowns might be a stretch this season, given the competition from active players, but cracking the top 25 is certainly on the table. Moreover, Prescott is just six touchdowns away from surpassing Tony Romo, making him the all-time leader in Cowboys history for this category. For Dak, it’s a chance to carve his own legacy in Dallas, a city that cherishes its quarterback heroes.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Prescott as he chases down these milestones. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about legacy, rivalry, and the chance to etch his name alongside some of the game’s greatest. For Cowboys fans, it’s an exciting narrative to follow-one that brings a touch of redemption against a ghost from their past.