Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is about to enter a contract year. Months of speculation about a new deal for the reigning NFL MVP runner-up has given in to the real belief that he’ll hit free agency next March.
Prescott, 30, is currently playing under a four-year, $160 million contract. His $40 million per-year pay ranks 13th among quarterbacks in the league right now.
The prevailing thought after Dallas’ ugly exit at the hands of the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs was that Prescott would become the highest-paid player in the NFL this offseason. Obviously, that has yet to happen.
Despite the Cowboys’ postseason struggles under Prescott, he continues to play at a high level. This past season saw the former fourth-round pick from Mississippi State complete 70% of his passes for 4,516 yards with a league-leading 36 touchdown passes. It played a role in Dallas finishing with the No. 1 scoring offense at nearly 30 points per game.
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Dak Prescott on contract extension talks: ‘I don’t play for money’
Taking part in OTAs this week, Prescott spoke to media in Dallas. His take on contract talks with the Cowboys is rather interesting. If it is to be believed, it’s also refreshing.
“I don’t play for money,” Dak Prescott said, via the team’s official website. “I have never cared for it, to be honest with you. Yeah, I would give it up just to play this game.”
We’re not 100% sure what to make of this. Is Prescott saying he’s willing to give the Cowboys a home-town discout? It could loom large with stars such as Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb set for lucrative long-term contracts this offseason, too.
“I allow that to the business people to say what it’s worth — what they’re supposed to give a quarterback of my play, a person of my play and a leader of my [caliber],” Prescott continued. “For me, it’s about controlling what I can control and handling that part, and the rest will take care of itself.”
Prescott boasts a no-franchise tag clause in his contract. He seems to have the advantage in contract talks with the Cowboys. Whether that will lead to something coming to fruition ahead of Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns remains to be seen.