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Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Gets Good News Before NFL Free Agency

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Feb 26, 2026 9:34 PM ET

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys did not have the 2025 NFL season they were hoping for. After losing four of their final five games, the Cowboys finished 7-9-1 under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

While the Cowboys may not have had much success in 2025, Prescott still delivered an impressive 10th season in Dallas. The former Mississippi State quarterback completed 404-of-600 passes for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, earning his fourth Pro Bowl selection. But now, with free agency less than two weeks away, Prescott could see an important protector of his return in 2026.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks on during warmups before the game against the Washington CommandersGeoff Burke-Imagn Images

T.J. Bass, after a three-year career at Oregon, went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft before being signed by the Cowboys. Despite being undrafted, the guard impressed during the preseason and earned a spot on the 53-man roster as a rookie. In his first two seasons, Bass spent most of his time as a backup to Zack Martin and Tyler Smith, though he performed well when called upon if the starters got hurt.

While Bass spent most of 2025 as a backup, he performed well in his five starts at both left and right guard. At one point during the season, the 26-year-old ranked fourth among all offensive linemen with just four total pressures allowed, helping keep Prescott well protected when he was on the field. However, following the 2025 season, Bass saw his three-year, $2.705 million deal with Dallas expire, making him a restricted free agent.

However, on Thursday, it was announced that the Cowboys plan to use a second-round tender on Bass, giving him a one-year contract offer worth $5.8 million. The move would allow Dallas to match any offer another team may throw at Prescott’s protector. But if Jerry Jones and company choose not to match the offer, the Cowboys would receive a second-round pick from the signing team in return.

"The Cowboys are planning to use the second-round tender ($5.8M) on guard T.J. Bass, per sources," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote on X. "Bass is a restricted free agent with 10 career starts."

The Cowboys are planning to use the second-round tender ($5.8M) on guard T.J. Bass, per sources.

Bass is a restricted free agent with 10 career starts. pic.twitter.com/bTC1sa1PLu
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 26, 2026