Barely two weeks ago, the Cowboys had not entered into extension discussions with their quarterback or No. 1 wide receiver. They have now.
Following DeMarcus Lawrence‘s re-up, the Cowboys are in talks with Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper. Both players are part of Dallas’ extensive extension equation, which may also involve Ezekiel Elliott, Byron Jones and Jaylon Smith.
“Certainly if there are opportunities there that make sense, then we’ll progress,” Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said during an interview with 105.3 The Fan (via Pro Football Talk). “I think pretty much everybody’s on it pretty good that there’s some pretty active discussions now with Dak and Amari, but it doesn’t mean that some can’t pick up in short order with other players that we have on our roster that we certainly want to keep here in Dallas and have them remain Cowboys in the future.”
While Elliott, Jones and Smith would certainly qualify as other players on Dallas’ roster that factor into the franchise’s long-term plans, talks beginning with Prescott and Cooper represent a key step this offseason. Both players are entering contract years. Each will likely be a key Cowboys cog into the 2020s.
The Cowboys’ most recent stance on Prescott was a wait-until-Russell Wilson-signs mindset. With Wilson having signed his record $35MM-AAV extension on Tuesday, it would appear time for Dallas to advance in talks with its multidimensional quarterback.
This could be a similar approach to the Lawrence negotiations, with the organization — though obviously high on its three-year starting passer — potentially eyeing a deal that will come in under Seattle’s Wilson pact. Prescott is five years younger than Wilson but obviously has not proven what the Seahawks veteran has, making this a dynamic similar to the Cowboys trying to bridge a gap for Lawrence between the Khalil Mack and Von Miller prices. The Cowboys also have leverage on Prescott, similar to what the Seahawks possessed with Wilson in 2015, with another year of a mid-round rookie salary on tap in 2019.
While reiterating a view Prescott’s next deal cannot put the Cowboys at a financial disadvantage, Jones pointed to Wilson and fellow $33MM-plus-AAV passer Aaron Rodgers having won a Super Bowl. This lends further credence the Cowboys are not planning to make Prescott the new highest-paid NFLer.
“You’re talking about two guys there who, between Rodgers and Russell Wilson, have won Super Bowls that have had success year-in and year-out taking their teams to the playoffs,” Jones said. “So, yeah, those are guys who are going to make those type of (salary) jumps. But I’m not concerned. I think at the end of the day if there’s any position that has to keep an eye out, not only for the themselves, but they have to keep an eye out on their team in terms of how much cap space they take up, these quarterbacks are those guys because, at the end of the day, they’re going to make a lot of money.
“The bigger for them in terms of their career and what they’re all about is how much did they win, how many Super Bowl rings do they have on their fingers, those are all huge deals. And they know if at some point they take up too much cap space at the end of the day, then it can hurt their chances in terms of winning.”
Cooper is entering his fifth-year option season. He is set to make $13.924MM in 2019. The Cowboys have been eyeing an extension for their 2018 trade acquisition since trading for him, so it is not surprising to see him join Prescott early in the team’s 2019 re-up queue.
Whatever they pay Dak and Dunk he should give half of it to Elliot. Elliot is 90% of the offense!
lol @ dallas!!
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It would be great if Romo came out of retirement also
Huge Romo fan; he never got his due until he retired.
Dak also doesn’t get enough respect, but obviously has a different game than Romo. Romo had great vision and a more accurate arm. However, Prescott has more of an ability to hurt you with his feet, while also have great leadership qualities. Romo was more consistent, but Dak can make all of the throws, he just doesn’t make connect quite as often.
In both cases, the Cowboys got a high quality QB at a low initial cost. A far cry from the Carter, Hutchinson, Henson days.
If Dak gets even remotely close to what Wilson (who is vastly overpaid) got, then Jerry Jones is off his damn rocker. Dak is maybe MAYBE top 15 QB.
On a side note, I hope the cowboys pay him $40M a year.
“I want $1 more than Russell Wilson please” -Dak
Hell of a problem to have. So much young talent here
Jason Garrett will have no excuses to fall back on once all that talent gets re-upped and that’s probably what Jerry has been aiming for.
Dal is a top 10 QB
Stats speak for themselves
In 2018, Dak was 15th in passing yards, 16th in passing TDs, and 17th in passer rating. Where are you getting your stats Homer?
Maybe he was comparing him to the other NFC QB???
Ugh… the Dak dilemma. You know ‘we’ finished 10-6 in 2003 with Quincy Carter too…
Here’s why I do NOT want to pay Dak. QBR trending down 3 yrs in a row. Sacks trending up 3 yrs in a row. Fumbles. TDs flat-lined. And ultimately, he’s a nice QB, worth starting, but not going to take the Cowboys anywhere unless the defense and Zeke carries them.
Cowboys need to keep Dak because despite his flaws, he’s shown he’s a winner and you don’t give up on that. Still they have to be careful. Dak, Demarcus, and Amari are all great players but not elite, like Zeke. You don’t want to be paying top 5 money to top 15 caliber talent but they may have no choice.
good idea waiting for wilson to sign first, who’s Dak’s agent, Jerry Jones?
If DeMarcus Lawrence is any indicator, Prescott and Cooper can ask for the moon and eventually Jerry will cave in and give it to them.
Prescott shouldn’t get more than 25 million a year and even that is too much but that’s the going rate for middle of the road QB’s. He’ll probably end up getting 28-30 million a year which is a shame.. starting caliber Non first round pick QB’s are so valuable for cap purposes that it’s ridiculous Dallas didn’t go all out the last 2 years spending money in free agency ala the rams to win a championship. Now he’s about to be overpaid and we are screwed..
The Cowboys better be careful with their salary cap. They just paid Lawrence big money. Now Dak, Amari and next year Zeke are all due big increases off their rookie contracts. With Dak counting as a little over $2mm and Wanting a top salary ($25mm/ year) then Cooper going to average around $16mm/ year, and Zeke up around $14mm per year. That added to Tyrone Smith [$15.5mm), Zack Martin ($14mm), Lawrence ($11mm), Travis Frederick ($10.9mm), Crawford ($9.9mm), Quinn ($8mm), the Cowboys are looking at around $130mm out of $188 salary cap. That leaves around $58mm for the final 44 players on the roster. That doesn’t count dead cap money, rookie draft class salary, IR and practice squad players.
Jerry you can’t pay everyone.