The Dallas Cowboys fully understand they have a major decision considering the future of Dak Prescott to make this offseason.
Prescott just finished his best NFL seasons and the chemistry on offense between Mike McCarthy calling plays, the starting signal caller and the emergence of CeeDee Lamb cementing himself as a true No. 1 WR.
He was the frontrunner to land NFL Offensive MVP for most of the year.
Before the playoff loss to the Packers, SI Dallas Cowboys writer wrote the plan has always been to give Dak Prescott a major extension this offseason.
In addition to the Jones family’s faith in Dak as a player and leader, the Cowboys have essentially made their bed in terms of Prescott being this team’s centerpiece for the long term. The already-large commitment will, for cap reasons, almost surely lead to another large commitment in order to not only retain the player but also to spread out his money cap-wise so other roster business – new deals for Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb included – can be done.
Prescott is presently a “$40 million APY” player … who is likely to soon be a “$50 or $60 million APY” player – whs
The debate about “whether he is worth it” will be part of this, and it is understandable; is Prescott really a “top QB”? What’s he done to justify a $50 or $60 million salary? Maybe he should accept a discount that is more team-friendly? What’s he done to set in stone the next big move?
The Dallas Cowboys’ commitment will feel more justified to critics if Dak Prescott and company knock off with the 7-point underdogs, and if they do it again the following week, and if they … Well, you know.f
Prescott is slated to have a $59.4 million cap hit in 2024, making it challenging to build a competitive roster.
When asked about a potential extension this week, Jones gave a vague answer.
“Dak has done nothing to change my mind of any promise for the future,” Jones told reporters on January 30, 2024, during Senior Bowl practices. “I think I said [previously] that we’d go as far as Dak takes us in the playoffs. Remember that?
“We’ll go as far as Dak takes us, and that’s how far we went. OK, so my point is, that doesn’t change a thing, but we’ll go as far as Dak takes us.”
Dallas Cowboys Insider Predicts Team Will Replace Dak Prescott With Michael Penix Jr.
USA Today’s K.D. Drummond suggested a way the Cowboys could move on from Prescott. It involves trading back from the No. 24 pick in the first round with the plan to select star Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. with the 31st overall pick.
“In this scenario, the Cowboys have Prescott as an in-house bridge to the future. This can play out a few different ways,” Drummond wrote on January 30. “More than likely, Prescott plays out the final year of his deal, and then Dallas hands the reigns over to [Penix] in 2025. Perhaps the selection pisses Dak Prescott off to the point that he not only considers waiving his no-trade clause, but demands it. Dallas could then shop Prescott, coming off a top-3 MVP candidate season, for a bounty of picks.”
Taking a QB in the first round would be a sensational decision for the Dallas Cowboys. That being said, the Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is famous for moves like the one Drummond described.
MIchal Penix Jr. finished second in the Heisman race in 2023. On the back of Penix, Washington not only won the Pac-12 but made an unexpected National Championship appearance.
Penix totaled 4,903 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. Volume totals are always eye-catching, but he completed 65.4% of his passes and averaged 8.8 yards per attempt
