The Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott keep playing a game of contractual chicken and it probably won’t end before the beginning of the season.
On Thursday, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggested the Cowboys may feel Prescott – entering the final year of a four-year, $160M deal – wants more than they’re willing to give. As a result, they could let Prescott hit free agency in 2025 before making an offer.
“My own guess (and it’s just a guess) is that the Cowboys will sweeten their offer once they see what other teams will pill,” wrote Florio. “And that Prescott will take less to stay in Dallas than he could get elsewhere.”
Throughout the offseason, Prescott has hinted he wants to stay in Dallas, meaning he could accept a hometown discount. However, quarterback prices have increased, with the Detroit Lions recently signing QB Jared Goff to a four-year, $212M contract.
Prescott may feel he should earn more than Goff. Last season, he finished second in MVP voting and led the league in touchdown passes (36 in 17 games
I don’t play for money. Never have and never cared, to be honest with you,” Prescott said Wednesday, via the team website. “I would give it up to just play this game. I’ll leave that to the business people to say what it’s worth and what they’re supposed to give a quarterback of my play, a person of my play, and a leader of my [caliber]. I’ll control what I can control, and the rest will take care of itself.”
While Prescott plans to take care of business on the field, the Cowboys must resolve his contract situation at some point. Otherwise, signing wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and edge-rusher Micah Parsons becomes far more difficult.
Florio pointed out Prescott’s contract voids before the franchise-tag deadline in 2025. If the Cowboys fail to extend him before the deadline, it will result in a whopping $40.1M cap hit.
