Dak Prescott certain ‘money will take care of itself’ as Cowboys QB runs down $160,000,000 contract
Dak Prescott is entering the final year of his four-year $160 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys, and so far no significant progress has been made on a potential extension. The 30-year-old quarterback is expected to test free agency next year, but there is a strong possibility that the Cowboys will re-sign him.
Speaking to Cowboys insider Jon Machota, Prescott said:
"I mean there's been conversations back and forth but for the most part for me as y'all know I've let my agent do that, especially as we get right here to training camp.
"Day one at training camp, my mind flips to just obviously helping my team and just doing everything I can within the organization and on the football field to make sure that I'm my best and everyone around me is their best. The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has been."
Prescott is coming off the best season of his career and could have won the MVP award last year. It is important for the Cowboys to keep their star quarterback for the foreseeable future since it doesn't seem like they have someone else to replace him. However, things could change if Trey Lance lights it up in the preseason and shows everyone why he is a former third-overall pick.
Realistically, what could Dak Prescott's contract extension look like?
Dak Prescott was reportedly seeking a salary close to $60 million per year with his new contract. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like the veteran quarterback could be able to get that sum.
For example, the Jacksonville Jaguars recently signed Trevor Lawrence to a five-year, $275 million deal, which will amount to $55 million in average annual salary. Lawrence has more upside than Prescott, and with age on his side, the Jaguars quarterback certainly deserved that money.
If the Cowboys do bring back Prescott on a multi-year deal, it will be fair to say that the soon-to-be 31-year-old quarterback could realistically get an average annual salary around the $50-$55 million mark. Lamar Jackson, the two-time NFL MVP, is currently the fifth-highest-paid quarterback in the league, and he is earning close to $51 million a year.
Dak Prescott has had a history of underperforming in the playoffs, and everyone saw it in last season's playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The Cowboys could have offered a long-term extension to Prescott earlier to save some money. It would be surprising if the franchise decides to pay over $60 million a year to a quarterback given that they have other star players like Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb awaiting their extensions.