Top 5 clutch QBs, including Cowboys Dak Prescott, entering '26

Angel Torres, Cowboys WireWed, July 1, 2026 at 9:01 PM UTC

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NFL analysts and pundits have gone to extreme lengths in the past to discredit Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. While the elephant of a lack of playoff wins remains in the room, the walls continue to close in on their options the more MVP caliber seasons Prescott adds to hus resume. Prescott continues to perform at him levels, and now there's yet another metric hurdle his detractors have to maneuver around.

According to Pro Football Focus metrics, Prescott was the most clutch passer in the NFL last season. When the game hung in the balance, he earned an 87.8 passing grade — highest mark of all qualifying quarterbacks.

Through a slew of factors during high-leverage situations, such as late fourth-quarter drives and one-score contests, Prescott was the most poised signal-caller under pressure. His decision making, accuracy, and ability to avoid costly mistakes separate him from his peers in critical moments.

Prescott earned an 87.8 passing grade in clutch situations in 2025, the second-highest mark of his career and nearly 10 grading points better than his previous best (78.3 in 2021).

The Cowboys quarterback recorded nine big-time throws against just four turnover-worthy plays while averaging 8.1 yards per attempt. More importantly, he consistently stacked positive plays, earning a positive grade on 31.2% of his snaps, the fifth-highest rate among 43 qualifiers. — Pro Football Focus

Rounding out the Top Five

Rams quarterback Matt Stafford finished just behind Prescott with an 87.4 passing grade which isn't too far from his 2021 season in which Stafford posted a 91.6 clutch grade — the second highest grade ever in the PFF era.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson finished third (82.9), although he had considerably fewer opportunities due to injuries that limited him to just 13 games. Seahawks QB and reigning World Champion Sam Darnold finished fourth with an 82.4 passing grade, while Bills QB Josh Allen rounds out the top five earning an 81.2 grade.

The median for the 720 qualifying seasons is a 65.0 grade with only 22.8% of those coming in above a 75.0 mark. The all-time high is Peyton Manning's 2006 season (92.0) and the lowest qualifying grade was Jaguars QB Blake Bortles in 2017 (28.0).

Bias against Cowboys quarterbacks?

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There are always two sides to a story, but a quarterback wearing a star on his helmet seems to come with additional media pressure and unfair bias.

Prescott not only earned the highest clutch mark of 2025, but has consistently performed above average in high-pressure situations. Playing for the leagues most visible and polarizing franchises means every decision is magnified beyond typical market.

Prescott has now cleared a 70.0 grade in clutch situations in six of his 10 qualifying seasons, giving him a stronger long-term track record in these situations than his public reputation often suggests. — Pro Football Focus

This recognition comes at a time when his body of work continues to be scrutinized. His success is frequently minimized while shortcomings, whether in a single game or isolated moment, are amplified into defining narratives.

The same can be said for former Cowboys quarterback and CBS color commentator Tony Romo. The 13-year Cowboys quarterback was often criticized for his late game play but this study suggest Romo more clutch than the people give him credit for.

Even Tony Romo — a quarterback whose reputation in these situations remains a point of debate — graded above 70.0 in eight of 10 seasons. — Pro Football Focus

Ultimately, PFF's assessment paints a clear picture: when the game is on the line, Dak Prescott has been as dependable as any quarterback in the NFL.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Top 5 clutch QBs, including Cowboys Dak Prescott, entering '26

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Source: “AOL Sports”