As much as Cowboy Nation is sick to death of hearing about Dak Prescott and his contract situation, it will remain a hot topic the longer it stays unresolved.
The Cowboys signal-caller has been motionless this offseason and happily participated in the franchise’s offseason workouts.
In contrast, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has refused to make an appearance to leverage a new deal.
The contract circus is alive and well in Dallas and there is no sign of extensions being offered.
Jerry Jones signs away his current leverage over Dak Prescott in 2021
Jerry Jones has been backed into a corner by Dak Prescott which has all come about from his last extension in 2021.
They franchised tagged the 30-year-old the year prior and were forced into the same motion the next offseason.
Included in Dak Prescott’s 2021 4-year $160 million contract – one day after being tagged – was a no-trade and franchise tag clause.
In addition, he was granted a record-breaking signing bonus worth $66 million (exceeded by the Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson in 2023).
Dak Prescott will be analyzing the market to see what figure he can demand
So, with the no-tag agreement in place, Dak Prescott is a freeman and could be in line for top-of-the-market money.
Jones knows that this is what he must pay Prescott this offseason if he offers an extension – the market does the talking.
However, there is the option of letting Prescott play out his deal on his gigantic $55 million cap hit in 2024 and risk losing him to free agency.
The 2023 MVP runner-up is in a glorious position because he knows that any team in desperate need of a quarterback in 2025 will pay top dollar.
Dak Prescott’s ability in negotiation is matched by one player, explains Myles Simmons
NFL expert and Pro Football Talk contributor Myles Simmons believes only one quarterback has played the business side of football better than him.
“Other than Kirk Cousins, I don’t know any quarterback that has been able to play the business of football game, let’s call it better than Dak Prescott at the quarterback position in the last 10 years,” Simmons said via Pro Football Talk.
Kirk Cousins secured a 2024 free market deal with the Atlanta Falcons of $180 million over four years, with $100 million guaranteed.
Furthermore, Cousins signed this after coming off a season-ending ACL tear which historically impacts an athlete’s production.
Dak Prescott knows he will be in line for a higher salary in 2025, posing a better health record and All-Pro status.
