Cowboys have no choice but to pay Dak Prescott
The Dallas Cowboys know Dak Prescott’s play isn’t worth $34 million. He’s never thrown for 4,000 yards. He’s never thrown for 30 touchdowns and in three years, he’s won a single playoff game.
Prescott is the epitome of a solid quarterback, but one you aren’t winning a championship with unless he has elite talent sprinkled across the roster.
Still, Dallas knows it has no choice. The Cowboys are going to be paying Prescott handsomely this summer, or risk going into quarterback purgatory.
Once the Philadelphia Eagles signed Carson Wentz to a four-year extension worth $128 million, the dye was cast. Philadelphia paid Wentz $32 million per year with that pact, despite the fact that Wentz has been both injury prone and still had two years left on his rookie deal. With Prescott set to hit unrestricted free agency after the 2019 season, he’s in line to receive an even bigger contract.
Looking at the roster, Dallas has to feel good about the construction. A player like Prescott needs to have a terrific running game and a defense that can keep the game from becoming a shootout. Owner/General Manager Jerry Jones has done a nice job of providing those things, with Ezekiel Elliott running behind one of the league’s best offensive lines, and the defense being stout with youngsters DeMarcus Lawrence, Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith leading the charge.
With the Cowboys trying to win a third NFC East title in four seasons, Prescott’s deal isn’t a matter of if but when. Vice President Stephen Jones has talked openly about Prescott being certain of commanding a new deal this offseason, and with training camp looming only five weeks away, the next month appears to be the correct window.
According to recent reports, Prescott’s representation is looking for the aforementioned $34 million per year. It’s a steep price for middling stats, but again, this is leverage. If the Cowboys balk and decide not to pay Prescott, then they are forced to franchise tag him in 2020. The cost of the tag for a quarterback next year is likely going to be north of $25 million. Depending on the structure of the long-term deal, that figure might be higher than what an extension would cost.
Either way, the Cowboys are going to be shelling out significant coin for Prescott. If they wait until after this season and the former Mississippi State performs at a higher level, the cost is only going to rise.
