Dak Prescott ‘assured’ on contract decision with Cowboys

DALLAS — Dak Prescott could possibly be coming into the ultimate yr because the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback if there isn’t any decision on his contract, however he’s taking an optimistic view.

“I am undoubtedly assured,” Prescott mentioned after collaborating in a Kids’s Most cancers Fund occasion with Corridor of Famer Troy Aikman on Monday. “Clearly it helps the staff. It is vital for the numbers … That may be a course of. Each side perceive that. Every little thing’s nice. It’s going to occur.”

To this point, there haven’t been substantial discussions between the Cowboys and Prescott’s agent, Todd France. The edges didn’t converse finally week’s scouting mix in Indianapolis as the brand new league yr opens on March 13.

Prescott is about to depend $59.45 million in opposition to the cap in 2024. He has a $29 million base wage and has a $5 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the league yr.

An extension may carry Prescott’s cap quantity down considerably, however it took the edges almost two years to barter the four-year, $160 million Prescott signed in 2021. As a part of that deal, the Cowboys can not place the franchise tag on Prescott in 2025 and he has a no-trade clause.

With out an extension and the shortcoming to make use of the franchise tag on him, Prescott could be wanting on the open market a yr from now and the Cowboys don’t have any approach of guaranteeing he would stay their quarterback.

Talking from the mix final week, proprietor and basic supervisor Jerry Jones mentioned, “What we do there or do not do [with Prescott’s contract], I could not say presently, however the primary factor is he’ll be our quarterback.”

The Cowboys can create roughly $18 million in wage cap area with out reaching an extension with Prescott by restructuring the deal that has two voidable years remaining. Nonetheless, that might enhance Prescott’s useless cash to roughly $58 million with out an extension.

Jones mentioned he doesn’t fear about this being Prescott’s closing yr.

“No, I do not worry that,” Jones mentioned. “Nicely, as a result of I’ve gotten my thoughts on being higher than we had been final yr. And that is the place the main target could be. Each participant you bought has a while when his contract is up. You’ll stroll round with the shakes when you feared it. You may’t as a result of all of them come up. All of them can get damage. All of them can lose some expertise. So all of that isn’t worry. I do know you are asking for a response to that. It’s my job to when any person will get damage or when their profession is on the finish or when you aren’t getting issues negotiated, it is my job to do one thing else.”

Prescott, who grew to become a father for the primary time final week with the start of his daughter, MJ, led the NFL in landing passes final season with 36. He had simply 9 interceptions after tying for the league lead within the 2023 season regardless of lacking 5 video games. He was the runner-up within the Most Precious Participant award voting and was named a second-team All Professional.

As he enters his second season with Mike McCarthy because the playcaller, Jones believes there’s extra for Prescott to perform.

Jones mentioned from the mix the edges can bridge the gaps in talks rapidly, “if everyone needs to resolve it.

“You may, so how as you get in and get on the identical web page and see when you can come to an settlement. If you cannot, what we have now in place works. And so clearly, when you do it a method, you then’ll be working via a few of the different areas on the staff another way. However you’ll be able to’t actually plan on that till you see the place you are there. That is what we’re doing.”

Jones has labeled the Cowboys’ offseason strategy as “all-in,” after a disappointing playoff loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers following a 3rd straight 12-5 end.

“I am excited to see it, truthfully,” Prescott mentioned. “I do not know. I am unable to say I’ve had talks with him about what’s all-in and the way he plans on making these strikes, however, yeah, let’s examine and I am excited for it.”