Can two quarterbacks end up at the same destination, even if one assumed the role as a potential all-time great before tossing an NFL pass and the other began his career as a likely practice squad candidate?
Through the first seven years of their careers, the production was almost identical, as was the win-loss record.
The cherry on top was the pressure continually mounting for different reasons.
I'm referring to none other than Denver Broncos legend John Elway and current Dallas Cowboys signal caller Dak Prescott.
Elway was an uber-talented two-sport star who stole the headlines in the 1983 NFL Draft.
Everyone knows the story of him playing the blinking game with the Baltimore Colts, and unfortunately for that franchise, Jim Irsay blinked first.
The similarities between Dak and John potentially outweigh the differences when it's all said and done.
If, at the end of the article, you believe this is hogwash, feel the liberty of slinging your variety of insults. I can take it.
Elway and Prescott have similar production thru 7 seasons
Even though Dak practically missed the entire 2020 season, he still matched Elway's production early in his career.
To date, Prescott has thrown for 24,943 passing yards and 166 touchdowns.
Elway's first seven seasons were nothing to sleep on, accounting for 21,195 yards and 120 touchdowns.
I know what the first argument is going to be. The NFL is a passing league, so Dak's numbers are inflated. It's not apples versus apples.
If that is the case, let's even out the playing field. Dak had a 1000-yard rusher in five of those seven seasons.
Before Kellen Moore's arrival, he mostly participated in an offense predicated on the running game.
In contrast, John had only two 1000-yard rushers in, Sammy Winder in 1984 and Bobby Humphrey in 1989.
This statement isn't to prop up Dak or to diminish John. The point is that there are similarities in their production that should get some attention.
The regular season record is nearly identical
Let's start by addressing the elephant in the room.
The playoff record and Super Bowl appearances are on two different spectrums for both.
Dak is 2-4 in the playoffs after back-to-back close losses to the San Francisco 49ers. He led his team to the playoffs in 4 of his first seven seasons.
On the other hand, John tallied six wins and four losses in the same span.
However, his team went to the playoffs 5 out of 7 seasons.
The most noteworthy accomplishment of his career thus far was leading the Broncos to three Super Bowl appearances in 1986, 1987, and 1989.
Unfortunately, he did not come away with a victory in those matchups, and the monkey was firmly on his back like it was on Dak.
As far as the regular season is concerned, Prescott carries a 61-win and 36-loss record.
So, what was John Elway's record after seven seasons? I never thought you would ask.
He proudly wore a 64-33 record. That's a razor-thin three-game margin.
For good measure, both guys earned credit with come-from-behind wins and game-winning drives.
Elway has the edge in the 4th quarter comebacks, 17 to Prescott's 12. Game winners, however, go to Dak with 19 to 15.
The similarities keep piling up.
John had to wait until the 11th hour to solidify his career
After the initial Super Bowl runs in four years, there was a drought for Elway.
He went seven seasons before he played in another one of those big games.
In between those seven seasons, he also missed the playoffs four times.
It was a different era of football, but one thing was transferrable. A quarterback in the league past his rookie contract needs to hold up the Lombardi trophy.
It took John Elway to his final two seasons to get a championship. He earned the storybook ending of getting multiple rings to cap off his career.
Where does that put Dallas' maligned quarterback?
He sits squarely in the same position as John with the bullseye on his back.
Dak is dealing with the epitome of a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, he is the one quarterback outside Patrick Mahomes who is in a good situation.
Dallas will likely re-sign Prescott to an extension and give him more time to get the monkey off his back.
On the other, he is the face of the Dallas Cowboys. This team is the most popular and wealthiest franchise in sports.
America's Team is hungry for another Super Bowl. That is pressure, but the front office is committed to him, just as Denver stuck with Elway.
Again, I'm not saying Dak Prescott is John Elway.
However, the two started at different marks, had almost identical results in the same period, and one made it to the hall after getting rings at the 11th hour.
If Dak wins a Super Bowl, could he not get an invite to that illustrious brotherhood?
I like to see the person make the argument to keep him out.
