The Dallas Cowboys, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, witnessed a stellar start to the season. They emerged as a formidable force in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game. The team proved dominance in the regular season by securing a 12-5 record and claiming the top spot in the NFC East. However, the dream took an unexpected turn in the wildcard round, as they succumbed to the Green Bay Packers.
In the aftermath of the disappointing loss, Dak Prescott finds himself on a hot seat, facing heightened scrutiny from fans and critics alike. His efforts to propel his team to Super Bowl glory have elevated him to a status alongside NFL icons, but the recent setback has sparked intense discussions and criticism. Prescott’s brother even took to social media to address and counter the mounting scrutiny surrounding the signal-caller.
Dak Prescott’s brother wants QB away from drama in Dallas
Stephen A. Smith has been a constant hater of Dak Prescott and the Cowboys over the years. Following the team’s recent playoff loss, even CeeDee Lamb’s mother Leta Ramirez joined Prescott’s critics list.
However, it’s not just his feeling the heat; his brother, Tad Prescott, took to X to express frustration over the backlash. He lamented the direct messages from Cowboys fans while expressing a desire to move Dak away from Dallas. Despite acknowledging the city and organization’s support, Tad highlighted being “done with drama” caused by what he referred to as “so-called fans.”
“Cowboy fans why continue to DM me TRUST ME, if I could get @dak to leave Dallas I would. I too want him out of Dallas. The city and organization have been great to he and our family, but done with drama and the so called fans, but he loves this team, and wants to bring it rings”, he wrote via Bleacher Report.
The fan backlash stemmed from the Cowboys’ lackluster performance in the wild-card round, where they trailed 27-0 in the first half and 48-16 in the second against the Packers. The QB showcased an impressive regular season with 4,516 passing yards along with 36 passing touchdowns and a career-best 105.9 passer rating.
Dak Prescott’s career, boasting a 73-41 regular-season record, indicates consistency in the regular season. However, he faces regular criticism for the team’s 2-5 postseason record during his eight seasons in Dallas.
Dak Prescott’s contract leaves little option for Cowboys to ditch the QB
Dak Prescott’s contractual situation with the Cowboys is a ticking time bomb that could have significant repercussions for the team. Before entering the final year of his current contract, he strategically played his cards during negotiations. The deal resulted in a staggering cap number jump from $26.832 million in 2023 to $59.455 million at the start of the 2024 league year.
This gigantic cap charge leaves the Cowboys with little room for a change. The only viable option for them is to extend the QB’s contract before the 2024 league year commences, aiming to mitigate the financial burden. Having leveraged his position effectively in the past, Dak now holds sway in dictating the terms of any potential extension.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys cannot franchise tag the QB in 2025 due to the cap implications. This leaves him as an unrestricted free agent in March 2025. Even if they opt to let the veteran hit free agency, they will face a substantial $36.46 million in dead money from his contract the following year.
Dak Prescott is well aware of the advantageous position he holds in his team. He could explore free agency after the 2024 season if a satisfactory extension isn’t reached. While reports suggest the Cowboys plan to offer him an extension this offseason, the financial hurdles and the QB’s strategic positioning indicate a complex negotiation process ahead.
