With all the talk surrounding Tom Brady‘s impending free agency, it’s almost like you could forget about Dak Prescott‘s scheduled trip to the open market. Almost. 
At the start of the season, it seemed like Prescott was right on the cusp of a brand new multi-year deal with the Cowboys. Back in September, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said a new deal was “imminent.” Then, Jones & Co. spent the rest of the year deflecting questions about a potential extension. Now, the pressure is on for the Cowboys to hammer out a mega-deal that will keep Prescott under center for the foreseeable future.
Both sides have ample reason to get something done, but the Cowboys, understandably, have reservations about tying up a ludicrously high percentage of their available dollars in a handful of players. Back in September, the Cowboys offered up a contract that would have paid Prescott an average of $33MM/year. However, Prescott held off during his insanely hot start, and he was probably eyeing Russell Wilson‘s league-leading $35MM/year average.
The Cowboys’ second-half dip cost them a playoff berth and hurt Prescott’s leverage. Through the first seven games of the year, Prescott completed more than 70% of his passes with 12 TDs and seven INTs. On the back nine, Prescott completed just 61.5% of his throws with 18 touchdowns against four interceptions.
Still, there was plenty of blame to go around for the Cowboys’ drop, and much of it fell on Jason Garrett. Prescott, who won’t turn 27 until July, figures to cash in, one way or another. If the Cowboys can’t come to an agreement with Prescott on a long-term deal, they can keep him from free agency via the franchise tag, which is projected to come in at roughly $26.9MM for quarterbacks. The former fourth-round pick would surely prefer the security of a four-year contract, but that’s still a substantial pay bump from the $2.025MM base salary he earned in the final year of his rookie deal.
What will it take for the Cowboys to get a deal done with Prescott? After he finished second in passing yards (4,902) and fourth in passing touchdowns (30, a new career-high), it won’t be cheap. By betting on himself, Prescott has all but assured that he can top Jared Goff‘s four-year, $134MM deal, which averages out to $33.5MM/year. Meanwhile, his camp surely has Goff’s $110MM in guarantees – an NFL record – in the crosshairs.
The stats and comps are only part of the equation as the prospect of multiple franchise tags looms large. Sure, the Cowboys can cuff Prescott for 2020 at ~$27MM, but what about 2021, when the cost would rise another 20% to more than $39MM? (Assuming the franchise tag rules remain in tact after the new CBA.) After that, a third tag would be downright absurd – a 44% jump would cost upwards of $55MM for the 2022 season.
We’ve been fooled before, but all signs still point to a long-term accord between the QB and JJ. If the Cowboys are unwilling to top Wilson’s AAV, it’s possible that the two sides can meet in the middle on a three-year deal, which would allow Prescott to cash in at untold levels when he’s 30 years of age and the league’s revenue climbs even higher. Or, maybe they’ll cave and give Prescott just enough to edge Wilson on a four-year deal and claim victory. In any case, the Cowboys do not want to wait for Patrick Mahomes to land his next deal, which could top $40MM per annum. And, failing all of that, a tag is surely coming.
Prescott, technically speaking, is due for free agency in March, but we’d be shocked if he gets there.
Give Dak and Dunk an average line and he’d be the Kirk Cousins of his new team
Kirk Cousins went 10-5 with a 69% completion percentage, 26 TDs, 6 INT, a 107 rating and a playoff win. So you’re saying Dak would be better?
You have to wonder how good Prescott would be without that O-line and Elliot. Even with all the talent around him, he hasn’t shown that he can be the leader that can carry a team to the playoffs. Plus, I don’t know how they can commit a ton of money til they see how he does with McCarthy.
Dak is a product of playing behind an excellent O-Line, having a stud RB and slightly above average WR’s. A majority of his stats occur during catch up time when defenses are playing soft zones and prevent at the end of the half or game. Whenever he was put in a position to win a game he rarely came through. I for one would love to see him get an AAV of $35MM for the next 3 years as it would end up putting Dallas in Cap Hell because of the crazy contracts JJ hands out.
Smart move for Dallas would be to franchise tag him, or Transition Tag him. Draft a QB in rounds 2 or 3 and see how Dak does with new coach (although same OC which is a problem), then decide if committing to him long term is the way to go.
Prescott is a very good Quarterback, he’s not elite, and shouldn’t be paid like he is.I would take Wilson, Mahomes,Rodgers,the kid in Baltimore ( can’t remember his name) but you get my drift.He should be glad to take whatever Jerry gives him
If you can’t even remember Lamar Jackson’s name (he’ll likely be the league MVP) and can’t take two seconds to look it up, I’m not sure why you’d expect anyone to take your commentary seriously.
There’s no way Yak is worth Wilson or Mahomes money, he’s lucky to be on the cowboys or he would be just another decent Quarterback looking for 15 to 20 million
Did you see what Nick Foles got?
If Brees retires and the Saints need a QB here’s your guy. Young, local talent and would do wonders
Doubtful that he reaches free agency.If they offered him a contract that averaged out to 33per,they’re more than likely gonna tag him @27.
Dallas should pry Stafford away from Detroit and let Dak walk. They would save about $8 million and it would be fun to see Stafford (Home town kid) thrive with that O-line and Elliot.
Not sure how Mahomes deal has any impact on Duks deal. Unless they are theorizing he’s half the QB Mahomes is so they can start negotiations at 50% of his (Mahomes) soon to be record breaking contract?
Stop