The Dallas Cowboys are entering a 2024 NFL season that could determine the immediate future of their franchise. Head coach Mike McCarthy‘s job beyond this season depends on his team making a prolonged run in the NFL Playoffs, something that they have not been able to do since 1995. The Cowboys also have serious questions regarding the futures of their three best players: Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons.
These questions, of course, are due to the fact that each of the aforementioned players are due massive contract extensions, and each of them wants to be paid what they feel they are worth. For Lamb and Parsons, that means a salary approaching $35 million a season, which would make them the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL.
For Prescott, who has seen his value go up with each and every contract that other NFL quarterbacks have signed this offseason, it means a deal that could be in the range of $56-60 million a year.
And he will not take less.
Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott Will Not Take Less Money to Stay
As mentioned, there have been several NFL quarterbacks who have signed new deals with their teams that have driven up Prescott’s value. The Detroit Lions gave Jared Goff $53 million a year; the Jacksonville Jaguars gave Trevor Lawrence $55 million a year; the Miami Dolphins gave Tua Tagovailoa $53.1 million a year; and the Green Bay Packers gave Jordan Love $55 million a year.
Prescott is going to reap the benefits of the quarterback market getting driven up, regardless of whether or not it is the Cowboys who give him his record-breaking contract.
In a recent interview, Prescott told reporters that he will not consider taking less money than what his market value commands:
“I’m a guy that grew up with two older brothers. You understand what a brotherhood means, not only for just this team but the fraternity of the NFL and the players. The money is out there and the money can happen. It can be done. There’s ways to make everything work for both ways. That’s in that sense it’s always about pushing the envelope for the next man.”
As one can see from Prescott’s comments, his thinking is that if he takes less money to stay in Dallas, it will hurt the chances of another quarterback making more money on his next deal. That quarterback’s team would use Prescott taking less money as an example for why they should do the same.
The Dallas Cowboys Should Prioritize the Dak Prescott Contract Extension
As mentioned previously, Prescott is not the only star player on the Cowboys roster that wants a big contract extension. The fact of the matter, though, is that they likely will not be able to sign all three.
If it comes down to choosing which of the three stars to sign, Dallas needs to make Prescott their priority. There is a reason why quarterbacks are the highest paid players in the league, after all. While the team lacks wide receiver depth after Lamb, he would be a lot easier to replace than Prescott.
In each of the past two seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs proved that a team can win the Super Bowl without a bona fide number-one wide receiver. However, they also had Patrick Mahomes, the Super Bowl MVP in each of those games.
If Dallas really wants to get back to competing for a Super Bowl, they need Prescott under center.
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James Andrus
They need to get rid of Dak Romo!!!! He cannot win when it counts!!!! He has proven that he cannot win the big games! It’s horrible! He needs to be gone ASAP!!!! He is not worth 10 million let alone 50-60 million!!!!
David Watson
I disagree with Daks comment about taking less. My only example is the 7 time superbowl winner Tom Brady. He took less to keep certain players and continued to produce superbowl wins using that formula. Also his contract going to the Bucs was not nearly as high as the top quarterbacks during that transition and took the Bucs to superbowl victory. I believe every player deserves an excellent contract but sometimes, sacrificing a little can earn you so much more. Good luck Cowboys.