Throughout his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, Dak Prescott has consistently received backing from his team, despite facing scrutiny from fans on multiple occasions. Despite the team’s Super Bowl aspirations falling short in the playoffs, team owner Jerry Jones remains optimistic about him. Additionally, star linebacker Micah Parsons has voiced his support for him in discussions with Stephen Smith.
As the offseason unfolds, Prescott finds himself once again under the spotlight, but this time it’s due to discussions surrounding his hefty contract.
Cowboys situation in free agency points fingers at Dak Prescott?
The Cowboys have been notably quiet during the NFL’s 2024 free agency period, leaving many fans wondering why the team has not addressed key areas of need on offense. Speculation has arisen, pointing fingers at Dak Prescott for the team’s lack of activity in the market. NFL analyst Dan Graziano has suggested that Prescott’s hefty contract could be the primary reason behind the Cowboys’ reluctance to pursue top free agents.
Graziano emphasized the impact of Prescott’s $59.5 million cap charge on the team’s flexibility, stating that it necessitates a strategic approach from the franchise.
“If you have a $59.5 million cap charge assigned to one player, it has to be like you’re working around that no matter what the Cowboys would tell you. So they either have to extend him or get comfortable with the idea of working around that number. And so far they haven’t been able to extend him,” he said, per Sportskeeda.
Nevertheless, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones has refuted claims that Prescott’s contract is hindering the team’s free agency pursuits. Jones emphasized Prescott’s cooperation and willingness to work with the team in contract negotiations, indicating that discussions have been ongoing between the two parties.
“Dak’s been willing to work with us. We’ve had good discussions about him and his contract. He’s all-in in working with us, and we’ve had personal discussions with Dak as well. Other than that, that’s all we’ll say about that, our negotiations with him. We want to keep that private. Won’t get into timelines, but certainly a priority of ours.”
The Cowboys are facing financial constraints with only $2.2 million in cap space. Prescott’s looming free agency also adds complexity to the situation, as the team cannot utilize the franchise tag due to contractual limitations.
The Cowboys have already lost multiple players during free agency, including Leighton Vander Esch and Michael Gallup.
How much does Dak Prescott earn at Cowboys?
Dak Prescott is entering the final year of his current contract after signing a lucrative four-year, $160 million extension in 2021. In 2024, he is set to earn $29 million in base salary, along with a $5 million roster bonus due this Saturday.
With the clock ticking on his current deal, the 30-year-old has openly expressed his desire for a contract extension. It’s anticipated that any new agreement will carry an average annual value (AAV) of approximately $60 million.
Meanwhile, the quarterback is coming off a stellar season where he emerged as an MVP candidate. In 17 games, he amassed impressive numbers, throwing for 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns with just nine interceptions, boasting a passer rating of 105.9. Even in the playoffs, the signal-caller demonstrated his prowess, tallying 403 yards and three touchdowns in the wild-card round.
Given his exceptional performance and value to the team, it’s evident why the Cowboys are keen to retain him on their roster, despite facing contractual challenges.
