The Dallas Cowboys entered the offseason determined to sign Dak Prescott to a long-term contract. With the hours ticking down until the franchise-tag deadline and Prescott set to play under the franchise tag, NFL agents are blasting the Cowboys for the organization’s big failure this offseason.
NFL agents rip Dallas Cowboys over failure to sign Dak Prescott to contract extension
The Cowboys made it known to everyone that Prescott is this team’s franchise quarterback and is integral to their future. Before he even had the chance to hit free agency, Dallas hit him with the franchise tag, vice president Stephen Jones said the club is “all in on Dak” and Jerry Jones compared him to a son.
Yet, with the July 15 deadline looming, the Cowboys haven’t had substantive discussions with Prescott in months. As a result, one of the NFL’s emerging stars will likely play on the $31.4 million tag and become a free agent next offseason.
For NFL agents, who spend their careers negotiating contracts and understanding the value of leverage in negotiations, the Cowboys utterly failed. Instead of striking while the iron is hot and agreeing on Prescott’s terms with a four-year deal for approximately $35 million per season, now he’ll have Dallas over a barrel next offseason.
“I don’t love the franchise tag, but I would love to be Dak Prescott,” an agent said, via The Athletic. “I think he’s in the best situation of anyone.”
In a survey of agents from across the NFL, conducted by The Athletic’s Ben Standig, the criticism of Jones and the Cowboys was shared by many. While the club might have brought in a new head coach and landed a great draft class, not signing Prescott to a long-term contract was a bad look.
“Not getting a long-term deal done with Dak Prescott. Big miss for Dallas,” a second agent said, via The Athletic.
Prescott pushed all offseason for a four-year contract and the Cowboys insisted on a five-year deal, which would give them more control over the NFL star. The organizational failure, as we detailed here, began the previous offseason and it only got worse this year.
Heading into the 2020 NFL season, Prescott will be a top contender to win NFL MVP and the Cowboys are favored to win the division. Placing the franchise tag on him next offseason will cost $38 million and his asking price will get even higher if he shines.
The Cowboys could have taken care of this months ago or even before Prescott’s breakout 2019 season. Instead, the club will either lose their star quarterback in a year or two or be forced to pay him far more than it would have cost originally.