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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott broke the franchise touchdown record with his 249th career touchdown pass on Sunday, September 20, 2026, surpassing Tony Romo’s mark in 15 fewer games.
Dak Prescott breaks Cowboys' touchdown record: what it means for his legacy
Prescott broke Romo’s record by throwing his 249th touchdown pass in a 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on September 20, 2026. This milestone was achieved in 15 fewer games than Romo’s 248 touchdown passes.
Updated Source: espn.com
Key numbers
| Stat | Figure | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touchdown passes (franchise record) | 249 | 2026-09-20 | AP News |
| Years since Cowboys' last Super Bowl win | 31 years | 2026-09-21 | AP News |
| Prescott's contract annual average | $60 million | 2026-09-21 | AP News |
| Years Prescott has been Cowboys' starter | 10 years | 2026-09-20 | AP News |
| Years since Cowboys' last NFC championship game | 31 years | 2026-09-21 | AP News |
What happened
Dak Prescott broke Tony Romo’s franchise touchdown record on September 20, 2026, when he threw his 249th career touchdown pass in a 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders. Prescott achieved this milestone in 15 fewer games than Romo, who held the record from 2006 to 2016. Prescott also now holds the Cowboys' all-time records in completion percentage (67%), passing yards (36,443), and passer rating (98.6).Who is affected
The Cowboys' franchise history is directly impacted, as Prescott now stands alone atop the team’s passing records. However, Prescott himself remains focused on the one remaining major record: victories. He is 10 regular-season wins behind Troy Aikman’s franchise record of 94 wins. Prescott’s contract, averaging $60 million annually through 2028, ensures he will have the opportunity to chase this victory record. The key figures include Prescott’s 249 touchdown passes, surpassing Romo’s 248. Prescott’s contract value of $60 million annually is also notable, as it provides financial security for his continued play. The Cowboys' last Super Bowl win was 31 years ago, in 1995, and their last NFC championship game appearance was also 31 years ago.What to do next
Prescott’s next challenge is to break Troy Aikman’s record of 94 regular-season wins. With his contract extending through 2028, Prescott has the opportunity to achieve this milestone. The Cowboys will face the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro on November 1, 2026, and a win would tie Prescott with Roger Staubach for second place in franchise history at 85 wins.What we know and don’t know
We know Prescott’s 249 touchdown passes have broken the Cowboys' franchise record, and he now holds multiple passing records. However, we do not know if Prescott will achieve the 94-win record before his contract ends in 2028. The Cowboys' playoff struggles remain a concern, as Prescott and Romo are the only two quarterbacks in NFL history with a .600-plus regular-season winning percentage and zero conference championship game starts.Timeline
- 2006: Tony Romo begins his Cowboys career, eventually setting the franchise touchdown record with 248 passes.
- 2016: Dak Prescott becomes the Cowboys' starter after Tony Romo’s injury, leading the team to an 11-game winning streak.
- 2026-09-20: Dak Prescott breaks Tony Romo’s touchdown record with his 249th touchdown pass.
- 1995: Cowboys win their last Super Bowl, ending a dynasty era.
- 2026-11-01: Cowboys face the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, with a win potentially tying Prescott with Roger Staubach for second in franchise wins.
Why it matters
Prescott’s record-breaking performance marks a significant milestone in Cowboys history, but the ultimate goal remains the same: winning more games and returning to the playoffs. Prescott’s contract and age (33) provide a window of opportunity to achieve this, but the Cowboys' playoff struggles over the past decade remain a hurdle.How Dak Prescott’s record compares to other Cowboys quarterbacks
Prescott now holds the Cowboys' all-time records in completion percentage (67%), passing yards (36,443), and passer rating (98.6). Troy Aikman, who won three Super Bowls, holds the record for regular-season wins with 94. Roger Staubach, who won two Super Bowls, is second with 85 wins. Prescott is currently at 84 wins, just one behind Staubach.What Prescott says about the record
Prescott expressed gratitude and humility about breaking the record, stating, "Records are meant to be broken. It's my time to break this one." He also emphasized his admiration for Roger Staubach, whom he considers the epitome of a Cowboys quarterback. Prescott plans to continue playing and aims to "double" his touchdown record.Frequently asked questions
How did Dak Prescott break Tony Romo’s record?
Prescott broke Romo’s record by throwing his 249th touchdown pass in a 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on September 20, 2026. This milestone was achieved in 15 fewer games than Romo’s 248 touchdown passes.
What is Dak Prescott’s next goal?
Prescott’s next goal is to break Troy Aikman’s record of 94 regular-season wins. With his contract extending through 2028, Prescott has the opportunity to achieve this milestone and potentially lead the Cowboys back to the playoffs.
How many Cowboys quarterbacks have won Super Bowls?
Three Cowboys quarterbacks have won Super Bowls: Troy Aikman (three wins), Roger Staubach (two wins), and Danny White (none as a starter, but he was part of the 1971 Super Bowl XII winning team as Roger Staubach’s backup).
Prescott’s contract has an annual average value of $60 million, extending through 2028.
How many games has Dak Prescott started for the Cowboys?
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Sources
- Dak Prescott breaks Tony Romo's franchise record for Cowboys with his 249th touchdown pass — sports.yahoo.com, 2026-09-20
- Dak Prescott has all the passing records for the Cowboys, so now the sole focus is victories — newsday.com, 2026-09-21
- Ranking all-time Cowboys quarterbacks: Dak Prescott climbs record book, but two legends remain ahead — cbssports.com, 2026-09-25
- As Dak Prescott claims records, it's clear Cowboys need QB to be great to stay competitive — dallasnews.com, 2026-09-21
- espn.com — espn.com
- ESPN Ranks Top 10 Trick Plays in Super Bowl History — yardbarker.com, 2026-11-01
Primary sources referenced in this coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl.
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