Even though Dak Prescott didn’t make it to the postseason this year, he is apparently in control of the contract extension negotiations with the Dallas Cowboys.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Prescott “can demand whatever he wants” in contract negotiations due to the terms of his existing agreement. The Cowboys’ 2024 cap figure for Prescott is projected to be $59.5 million, which is untenable if the front management wants to assemble a competitive squad around its quarterback.
Prescott’s cap charge would still be a hefty $41 million even if the Cowboys were able to rework his contract and save about $18 million.
The 2024 season will be a make-or-break one in Dallas, with head coach Mike McCarthy playing out the final year of his contract. McCarthy has racked up a 1-3 playoff record with the Cowboys, including a blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers in this year’s Wild Card Round.
Prescott had one of the best regular seasons of his career in 2023, throwing for 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns against nine interceptions. It was a complete 180-degree turn from a miserable 2022 that saw Prescott throw a career-worst 15 interceptions and see his status as the team’s franchise quarterback go up in the air.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has vehemently said Prescott is his starting quarterback moving forward this offseason.
At the Senior Bowl, Jones told reporters, “Dak has done nothing to change my mind about any promise for the future.” We will go as far as Dak takes us in the playoffs, I believe I stated in the agreement. Recall that. We decided to follow Dak’s lead and see how far we could go. That being said, nothing changes as a result. We’ll follow Dak wherever he leads.”
Given that a starting quarterback of Prescott’s level typically commands a salary of approximately $55 million each season, Jones will need to part with a sizable sum of money in order to close a deal.
