Breaking: Cowboys plan for Dak Prescott and Talented star is right there in front of our eyes
The Dak Prescott contract saga has been a major topic of discussion this offseason. The uncertainty surrounding his future with the Dallas Cowboys has sparked widespread speculation and debate. Prescott’s current contract is set to expire after the 2024 season, and he will become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
The Cowboys have been unable to agree on a new deal, leading to concerns about his potential departure. Prescott’s agent, Todd France, has been instrumental in negotiating the contract, and Prescott himself has expressed a nonchalant attitude towards the financial aspects of his career, stating that he doesn’t play for money. The Cowboys’ executive vice president, Stephen Jones, has emphasized the priority of securing a new contract for Prescott, citing his leadership and the team’s consistent competitiveness.
However, the negotiations have been slow, and the team’s inability to use the franchise tag on Prescott in 2025 has given him significant leverage. The situation remains uncertain, with many wondering what the Cowboys will do with Prescott and when they will make a decision.
There seem to be three schools of thought when it comes to Dak Prescott's contract.
(A) He's the guy and should've been paid a long time ago
(B) He's not the guy and the Cowboys should move on
(C) He's the guy and the front office is handling things fine
Which one are you?— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) June 2, 2024
While the Dak Prescott contract saga has generated significant debate, with some believing he should have been signed long ago and others ready to move on, there is a third option that often goes overlooked: Prescott will receive a contract extension, and the Cowboys’ front office is handling the situation appropriately.
ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler recently stated that the Cowboys have no intention of allowing Prescott to hit free agency and that a contract extension is imminent. For some, this may seem like a new development, but for regular readers of Blogging The Boys (BTB), this has been the expected outcome all along.
The Cowboys’ front office, particularly executive vice president Stephen Jones, has emphasized the priority of securing a new deal for Prescott, citing his leadership and the team’s consistent competitiveness under his guidance. While the negotiations have been slow, the Cowboys are likely taking a measured approach to ensure a fair and mutually beneficial agreement.
Ultimately, the expectation remains that Prescott will continue to lead the Cowboys for years to come, with a contract extension solidifying his future with the franchise.
When Dak Prescott signs a new contract, one aspect of the situation will be resolved. The verdict will likely be that he is indeed the Cowboys’ quarterback of the future. However, the criticism will then shift to why it took so long to get the deal done, with some questioning the money the Cowboys could have saved if they had signed him sooner.
This issue is complex and involves various factors that are often overlooked. One common argument is that Prescott’s price will continue to rise, but this is not as significant as it seems. This is because the salary cap also increases, which means the cost of a player like Prescott will eventually decrease. This phenomenon is not unique to Prescott and has been observed in the past.
The Cowboys' front office mishandled Dak Prescott's contract once already and are about to do it again. The last time they did this, they paid through the nose.
2020: 9th-highest QB
2021: 3rd-highest QB
2022: 8th-highest QB
2023: 10th-highest QB
2024: 10th-highest QB— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) April 14, 2024
Dak Prescott’s current contract with the Dallas Cowboys, which he signed in 2021, has not been considered expensive compared to the rising costs of franchise quarterbacks in the NFL. When Prescott signed his deal, he became the second-highest paid QB behind Patrick Mahomes, but since then, seven other quarterbacks have surpassed Mahomes’ annual salary.
To truly cost the team more, Prescott would need to elevate his play to a higher pay grade, which can be categorized as:
1. Franchise QB (24% of cap)
2. Viable Starting QB (12% of cap)
3. Contingency QB (6% of cap)
However, Prescott is already at the top pay gradient for quarterbacks, which is why he was one of the highest-paid players in 2021 and will be again soon. The Cowboys could have extended Prescott earlier, like in the offseason of 2019, but his value was already known at that point.
While the Cowboys’ front office could have been more proactive in signing Prescott to a discounted deal, it would have required his representation to not recognize his value, which is unlikely for any credible agent[1]. Prescott’s agent will help him maximize his deal, whether that includes higher guarantees or terms that put him back on the market when prices skyrocket.
The Cowboys acquired Trey Lance in the fourth round of the draft, likely with the intention of developing him as a viable backup option in 2024 should Prescott get hurt[1]. If Lance progresses well, it could give the Cowboys options, such as keeping him as a backup, using him as trade bait, or potentially considering him as Prescott’s replacement[1]. However, it seems far-fetched for Lance to become the Cowboys’ new franchise quarterback without significant new developments.
Ultimately, the Cowboys’ stringent bookkeeping has always had the purpose of keeping critical pieces of the roster together, and Dak Prescott is one of those pieces[1]. Fans should prepare for an upcoming contract extension while hoping for Trey Lance’s development, as both outcomes would be in the best interest of the Cowboys[1].
