While both the Cowboys and Dak Prescott once expressed optimism in a long-term extension, there hasn’t been any recent progress in negotiations. The organization previously declared that they weren’t going to let their franchise QB hit free agency, but with owner Jerry Jones drawing an apparent line in the sand, it’s no longer a guarantee that Dak is playing in Dallas in 2025.
[RELATED: Cowboys Do Not Intend To Let Dak Prescott Reach Free Agency]
The quarterback acknowledged the fact that the 2024 campaign could mark his final season in Dallas. While speaking with reporters yesterday, Prescott at least hinted that he could hit free agency following the upcoming season.
“I’m not going to say I fear being here or not. I don’t fear either situation, to be candid with you,” Prescott said (via NFL.com’s Coral Smith). “I love this game and love to play and love to better myself as a player and my teammates around me. Right now it’s with the Dallas Cowboys, it’s where I want to be, and that’s where I am, and that’s the focus. And after the season we’ll see where we’re at and if the future holds that. And if not, we’ll go from there.”
Entering the final season of his four-year, $160MM contract, Prescott could push for a new deal that’s close to $60MM per year. Jones has previously complained that the growing QB contracts limit spending elsewhere on the roster, and it sounds like the owner/GM is hoping Prescott will end up taking a slight discount on his next deal. With the QB market now beyond the $50MM AAV mark, it’s uncertain how much money the Cowboys would look to save on the veteran’s next deal. Prescott seems to be somewhat open to a discount, telling reporters that he’s “not trying to be the highest paid, necessarily.”
Prescott did confirm that he’s had talks with Jones and the Cowboys front office, although those conversations didn’t necessarily revolve around specific numbers. It’s uncertain if either side would be interesting in continuing talks into the regular season, but the quarterback has made it clear that he’ll soon be entirely focused on the 2024 campaign.
“Honestly, I’m focused on the moment, on the now,” Prescott said. “If the talks begin and real talks get to happen, sure, we can talk about getting that done, but in this case right now I’m worried about getting better, being better than I am at this moment. So leaving that up to my agent and Jerry at this point.”
In addition to Prescott, the Cowboys are also hoping to extend linebacker Micah Parsons and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, a pair of contracts that will further soak up the team’s financial wiggle room. The Cowboys won’t have the ability to franchise tag Prescott after this season, and considering the impending financial implications of a QB extension, the organization will surely be focused on completing that deal first.
60 mil a year!! That’s why a lot of us can’t afford to go to a game. Smh
No, it isn’t. Blame the fans for forking out that much to see a game. If owners could slash payroll to $25 million total but charge $15,000 a ticket, they would. Supply and demand.
The salary cap is tethered to a percentage of league revenue. Teams don’t juice the most money they can out of everything because player contracts are so high. Player contracts are so high because teams juice so much money out of everything.
You think if the players made less money the owners would decide to cut ticket prices? Why would they do that?
Not buying Dak as a $60M per year QB. He has helped the team hit the playoffs, though he’s not elevated the ‘skill’ contingent to SB level.
The writer is correct with these individual player salaries getting so ridiculous and inhibiting roster building. Seems the Browns created a monster that’s haunting the league and has morphed to WR and DL costs.
Likely why the cap jumped or was that due to the gambling marriage?
I’m with you J O Dak has continually been on teams with weapons and a lot of talent and at 60 instead of more like 50 he won’t be and I just don’t think he’s good enough to overcome a mediocre roster. I know Mahomes is in a league of his own but he just won a super bowl with an aging Kelce and an offense of scrubs. When he did have weapons he was virtually unstoppable that’s not Dak although he’s a very good QB. He’ll get paid but I don’t think he should be one to reset the market yet again for QBs
But I also know these things are about leverage. Awful lot of QB needy teams who won’t get a high end prospect this season or will draft one who won’t pan out and Rodgers may retire who knows but someone will probably pay him if he hits free agency. Personally if I could take the pressure of Dallas I’d stay your marketability as a Cowboy has financial worth that I would think would more than cover a little discount especially when we’re talking 50m a year plus.
Too much money for a QB that hasn’t won anything! Trade him now and get something for him or let the contract run out and get nothing for him!
Problem is the way the cap works, you don’t get relief by moving him. Best thing they can do is play out the year and let him walk
I’m not sure there are still Bronco and Browns type of GMs that’ll hand over multiple 1st rounders, and pay the dude $50-60M, but if there are , they should trade him. There are just too many players that need to be paid off.
It’s not Dak’s fault that Jerry delayed paying him, franchised him twice, and drove the price up. And now he’s repeating the same mistake with Lamb.
And probably gonna overpay Parsons as well…
jerry will never move off his genius 4th round pick .. dak has played just well enough to keep stoking that immense ego .. could you imagine the fallout if dak win’s a bowl in a different uniform
Never won the big game…and he’s oblivious that even with a cap increase, his salary needs hamstring the Cowboys from gettin the players they need to get and actually win the SB……pathetic but indicative of todays “me” athlete…….
Hilarious that fans want salary caps to create parity but then want athletes to take discounts to subvert it. Do you want the best 50 players to all sign with the Chiefs for $1 million?
25 more races between Lamborghini and Chevy is probably not a great idea.
Jerry’s getting up there in age. He’s gotta make it work with Dak. Time is not on his side to gamble on investing in the next young promising QB.
Come on Cowboys (J.J.) cough it up and ruin your chances for another 5-10 years! LOL!
…..watch Cowboys shock the NFL, move up & draft a QB….