The Dallas Cowboys are entering a season that could spell the end of an era for their franchise. Head coach Mike McCarthy has made Dallas into a perennial postseason contender but has not done much winning in the NFL Playoffs. His 1-3 record after the regular season ends simply is not good enough for a franchise that expects to win Super Bowls. As McCarthy is in the final year of his contract, this year is a make-or-break year for his future with the organization.
Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott, the NFL MVP runner up in 2023, is also entering the final year of his contract. While he is not holding out for a new deal like wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (who is also in the final year of his contract), it is very important that Dallas lock him up soon. The problem, of course, is that Prescott is due a record-breaking amount of money.
Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott Could Make $60 Million or More Per Year
Prior to this offseason, there were four quarterbacks that were being paid $50 million per season: Joe Burrow ($55 million), Justin Herbert ($52.5 million), Lamar Jackson ($52 million), and Jalen Hurts ($51 million). Since the offseason started, though, two more quarterbacks have joined that list.
First, the Detroit Lions gave Jared Goff a four-year $212 million contract that will pay him $53 million annually. Then, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence agreed to deal that will pay him $55 million, tying Burrow for the highest annual salary in the NFL.
By just about every single metric, Prescott is a much better quarterback than both Goff and Lawrence. Because of this, it is expected that his next contract could pay him as much as $60 million a year or more.
Make no mistake, Prescott likely is going to make that much per season. The question is whether or not it will be the Cowboys who pay it.
NFL Analyst Believes the Dallas Cowboys Could Lose Dak Prescott in 2025 Free Agency
If Prescott was the only superstar player that the Cowboys needed to extend, a deal may have been done already. However, Dallas also has to think about Lamb and linebacker Micah Parsons. This complicates matters.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report views the Cowboys’ situation with Prescott as a similar one to the situation the Minnesota Vikings were in with Kirk Cousins. While the Vikings and Cousins both wanted a contract extension, having to pay Justin Jefferson made it impossible for the two sides to come to an agreement:
“Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins may have surprised a few folks when he opted to leave for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. However, one teammate understood the decision.
“‘I always knew Kirk was going to do whatever he needs to do for his business-wise,” Justin Jefferson told The Rich Eisen Show (h/t NFL.com’s Kevin Patra). “I just knew that everything just wasn’t the way he wanted it to be here, especially just with having to pay me and having to pay so many different guys.’
“Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott now finds himself in a situation very similar to what Cousins faced a year ago. The Cowboys are good, but repeated early playoff exits suggest that they’re no title contenders.
“Prescott is also entering the final year of his contract, and Dallas isn’t in a position to pay all of its biggest stars—CeeDee Lamb is an impending
“The Cowboys also face the very real prospect of a looming rebuild. They suffered an embarrassing Wild Card Round loss to the Green Bay Packers, lost far more than they gained in free agency and have a head coach in Mike McCarthy who is—or at least should be—on the hot seat.
“Prescott may already prefer the prospect of pocketing $55.5 million this season and hitting free agency in 2025.”
The fact of the matter is that if the Cowboys can’t sign Prescott to an extension this year, he is highly unlikely going to re-sign with them when he becomes a free agent.
And if Prescott leaves, that could be the start of a long and painful rebuild in Dallas.
For More Great Football Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!
