The Dallas Cowboys were unable to sign Dak Prescott to a contract extension ahead of NFL free agency opening earlier this month.
It put Dallas behind the proverbial eight-ball when it came to the NFL salary cap. After all, Prescott was set to count $59.45 million against the cap in 2024.
While the two sides were able to come to terms on a restructure that saved $4 million against the cap, no extension seems to be in the cards.
It’s not a great situation with Prescott slated to become a free agent after next season and Dallas being unable to place the franchise tag on him.
Despite all of this, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones continues to lob praise in the direction of his veteran quarterback at every possibility.
“We think he’s a great quarterback. That is really the gist of what we’re about this year. We’ve got Dak,” Jones said of Prescott, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I think Dak will be at the top of his game. I’ve said that I do think he will improve from where he is now. I think we’ll have that.”
That’s all fine and dandy. But Prescott’s contract situation forced Dallas to move on from several key contributors on the offensive side of the ball. That included Pro Bowl running back Tony Pollard and franchise left tackle Tyron Smith. Dallas also released wide receiver Michael Gallup.
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Dallas Cowboys need to handle Dak Prescott contract situation
Prescott has all of the leverage here. Even if he’s playing with another team in 2025, Dallas would be forced to pay out $40.46 million to the quarterback. As noted above, the Cowboys are unable to place the franchise tag on him next March. That complicates things.
Jones touched on the Cowboys’ losses on the offensive side of the ball when discussing Prescott’s contract situation. He’s a realist. He knows that it has had an impact on roster building.
“As you address a player like Dak, you take away from his supporting cast,” Jones said. “That’s not a sales job. Everybody realizes, if you get the bucks, someone else who can help you win doesn’t. That’s factual.”
- Dak Prescott stats (2023): 69.5% completion, 4,516 yards, 36 TD, 9 INT
Prescott, 30, is coming off a 2023 season in which he finished as the NFL MVP runner-up. Unfortunately, he came up small as Dallas was bounced from the playoffs in humiliating fashion by the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round.
The question is obvious. Does Dallas’ brass think Prescott is the man to lead this team into Super Bowl contention. Jones did not hold back in discussing that.
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“When I think of Dak, he’s one of those in the top paid that haven’t won that I think can,” Jones said. “I think there are a handful or more of quarterbacks playing who haven’t won a Super Bowl that will win a Super Bowl. I think Dak is one of them. I’m firm there.”
If so, it’s likely going to cost the “Boys north of $55 million annually to retain Prescott on a long-term contract. Time is certainly running out on that front.