The dust is still settling after the weekend’s big quarterback trade in the NFL. And as the world begins to adjust to the idea of Jared Goff wearing Honolulu blue in the Motor City and Matthew Stafford wearing… whatever those dingy-white messes with the silly chest nametags are in Los Angeles, a fascinating side story is emerging that focuses on the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott.

Prescott and Goff will always be linked by their membership in the league’s rookie class of 2016, and both Prescott and Goff will inevitably be lumped with Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. Goff was the first overall selection that year. Wentz was chosen second. Prescott didn’t get the call until the fourth round, with the 135th pick. Twelve other passers were also drafted in 2016; five were taken ahead of Prescott.

But as several outlets have now pointed out, each of those quarterbacks has been cut, benched, or traded by their original club. With a single exception. Rayne Dakota Prescott is suddenly “the last one standing.”

After Jared Goff’s trade, every QB taken in the 2016 NFL Draft has been cut, traded, or benched … except one.

Dak Prescott. pic.twitter.com/7SQwyxwdtm

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 31, 2021

It’s a striking thing to see it laid out in black and white. It’s even more striking when one considers his status as the unquestioned starter from Week One of his rookie campaign. It’s impressive when one remembers that he kicked off his career with three consecutive 3,000-plus-yard passing seasons, two Pro Bowl nods, and a playoff win. It’s remarkable when one notes that he finished within 100 yards of logging 5,000 yards in his fourth season. It’s incredible when one points out that he never missed a start, barely even sat out a practice until he practically snapped his ankle clean off in Week 5 of what was shaping up to be a lights-out statistical year for No. 4.

And it’s downright inconceivable to suggest that that guy– the player with that resume– isn’t even sure of his long-term status with the team because the front office has yet to meet him with a financial commitment that’s commensurate with his blatant best-in-class production.

The blockbuster Goff-Stafford swap casts Prescott’s situation in new light. And the stark devaluing of Goff- he’d made $80 million more than Prescott before last season’s franchise tag, yet was sent to Detroit as part of a package; the future draft picks may well end up proving to be the richer part of the deal for the Lions- only emphasizes Prescott’s worth to the Cowboys.

Just ask Tad Prescott, Dak’s older brother.

So the guy who was never supposed to make it, is now the last one standing. Let that sink in pic.twitter.com/g8qi2WYhDp

— Tad Prescott (@86Prescott) January 31, 2021

Tad has been vocal in his frequent criticism of the way the Cowboys organization has treated his younger brother over the tag saga of the summer of 2020. And Tad was the first to update fans on Dak’s ankle surgery back in October, promising that Dak would be back “stronger than ever.” Now he’s making a strong case to the court of social media that his little bro deserves the big payday.

By all accounts, Prescott’s recovery has gone exceedingly well; he’s been reported as being ahead of schedule and should be ready to fully participate in team activities once they resume.

Despite the massive quarterback shuffle occurring across the league, Prescott will (almost certainly) be back in Dallas in 2021, even if it’s under a second- and substantially expensive- franchise tag. Or, as Tad advocates, the Cowboys could let the reality of the current quarterback landscape “sink in” and instead choose to lock in their man, by cracking open the vault and giving 2016’s last man standing- and the undisputed cream of that draft class crop- the long-term contract he’s clearly earned.