The Dallas Cowboys have not yet agreed on a new deal with Dak Prescott and a person from the NFL thinks this is part of Jerry Jones’ strategy. Prescott had a great season, but it seems like he will play in 2024 without a new contract.
In a recent article from The Athletic reporter Mike Sando, an anonymous NFL executive talked about the Cowboys’ situation.
“If the guy wants $60 million a year, you know what we are going to do instead?” the executive said. “We are going to have an average team, and you are going to play worse and we are going to get you at a better price.”
That’s a crazy idea, but it may not be impossible. The owners may feel that this team with Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy may not be likely to win the Super Bowl in 2024.
After the difficult playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, they may have a reason for that. However, intentionally entering the last year of a franchise QB’s contract just to be “average” and get him on a better deal still seems premature.
The most recent news on Dak Prescott's contract negotiations
The possibility of a contract extension in the near future suffered a major setback towards the end of March, as NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport updated fans on the negotiations. Basically, Dallas has not made a new offer but both sides “understand” each other.
“The Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott have a mutual understanding,” Rapoport wrote on X. “Of his contract situation, sources say, with no offers from Dallas despite him being in a contract year. Owner Jerry Jones said, ‘We are where we are, locked and loaded for this year.”
Since Prescott has a no-tag and no-trade clause in his contract, it puts the Cowboys in a difficult position. Not extending his contract before next offseason means the longtime Cowboys QB has full power to go anywhere.
On the other hand, Dallas can see how Prescott performs. And if the two sides “understand,” then there should be some flexibility and comfort in their negotiations this regular season or next offseason.
Cowboys Predicted to Trade Trey Lance
The future of Prescott in Dallas is a big topic of discussion, as is the future of backup QB Trey Lance. The former No. 3 overall pick is set to enter his second season in Dallas after being traded by the San Francisco 49ers, but he is now being predicted to move again.
Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine suggested a trade to the Packers, which would net the Cowboys a fourth-round pick in return.
“It’s at least worth it for the Packers to give the Cowboys a call. At worst, Lance plays out the final year of his contract and leaves in 2025. At best, he shows improvement and either becomes the long-term backup or brings back an even higher pick in a trade down the road,” Ballentine wrote.
It’s always important to have a backup, but it’s hard seeing Lance giving Packers QB Jordan Love a run for the starting gig.
