Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys suffered a surprising wild card spherical loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. As a substitute of making ready for the divisional spherical, he’ll take a breather earlier than returning to the grind for the ultimate season underneath his four-year, $160 million contract.
In that case, Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones should ponder Prescott’s future, other than figuring out Mike McCarthy’s destiny as head coach. Prescott will probably be a free agent after the 2024 season, the place he’ll earn a $29 million base wage and rely for $59.45 million towards the cap.
Like what transpired when Prescott agreed to his present deal, his agent will base their calls for on prevailing quarterback market costs. In that case, ought to Jones provide a contract based mostly on market tendencies? Or did the loss to Inexperienced Bay diminish the contract worth Prescott can command?
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The case for Dak Prescott getting a $50 million annual contract worth
With quarterback contracts escalating through the 2023 offseason, Dak Prescott’s subsequent contract gained’t come low cost. A $50 million yearly worth is smart when different offers are thought of.
Joe Burrow has probably the most profitable contract when it comes to annual worth at $55 million. Justin Herbert trails him at $52.5 million, whereas Lamar Jackson’s new deal averages $52 million yearly. Jalen Hurts ranks fourth at $51 million, whereas Russell Wilson is fifth at $48.5 million.
Prescott’s agent, CAA Sports activities’ Todd France, can solidly argue for a $50 million annual invoice based mostly on these numbers and the latest accomplishments of the opposite signal-callers talked about.
Burrow and Hurts have introduced their respective groups to the Tremendous Bowl, whereas Jackson is a former NFL Most Helpful Participant. Herbert is an up-and-coming quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers who’s had a 5,00-yard passing season and a playoff stint.
In the meantime, Wilson and the Denver Broncos missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season regardless of his large price ticket. Although they’re one-and-done, making the 2023 postseason makes it honest for Dak Prescott to command a $50 million common.
Likewise, there are different causes Jerry Jones ought to make that provide to Prescott’s camp.
1) It’s onerous to search out consistency within the NFL
Whereas making the playoffs as soon as is already a powerful achievement, each NFL group aspires to make the postseason persistently. Prescott has delivered that for the Dallas Cowboys, particularly over the last three seasons.
Dallas completed at 12-5 for the third straight 12 months. Taking part in consequential video games late within the season continually engages their fanbase, engaging them to buy tickets throughout residence video games. The profitable model parlays into hovering merchandise gross sales and profitable enterprise contracts.
Given the income the Cowboys pull in yearly, Dak Prescott’s $50 million annual worth is a small a part of the cash he helps carry into the group by reaching the playoffs yearly.
2) Prescott had stable numbers this 12 months
The previous Mississippi State standout completed the common season third in passing yards (4,516) and first in landing passes (36). Prescott can also be tied for the second-fewest interceptions (9) amongst quarterbacks who performed in all 17 common season video games.
There aren’t any ensures the Cowboys will get that manufacturing in the event that they get a younger however proficient quarterback. Doing so may set them again towards their NFC East rivals, primarily the Philadelphia Eagles.
3) They will construction Prescott’s contract to be extra cap-friendly
Whereas Dak Prescott may common $50 million a 12 months on his subsequent contract, the group can defer more cash to the latter years. That approach, they continue to be aggressive by sustaining their wage cap flexibility, serving to them preserve different key gamers.
Why Jerry Jones shouldn’t give Dak Prescott a $50 million-a-year contract
Regardless of his successes since turning into the Cowboys beginning quarterback in 2016, a case can nonetheless be made towards Dak Prescott incomes an enormous payday. Listed below are a few of the evident causes that Jones would possibly contemplate.
1) He has persistently come up brief through the playoffs
Professional Soccer Discuss’s Charean Williams relayed Prescott’s assertion that he also needs to be accountable if McCarthy is on the recent seat. Sadly, this latest playoff loss will amplify his failures throughout these essential matches.
Prescott has a 2-5 postseason file and by no means made it to the NFC Championship Recreation. The Cowboys have given him a number of alternatives, and he couldn’t ship. Due to this fact, there’s no sense in giving him $50 million yearly if his playoff woes persist.
2) The Cowboys should pay their different marquee gamers
Other than Dak Prescott, the Cowboys should additionally gear up for the approaching contract extensions of CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. Their costs have gone via the roof after being named All-Professionals this season.
Dallas exercised Lamb’s fifth-year choice, incomes him $17.9 million in 2024. He’ll grow to be a free agent subsequent season with out an extension in place. Lamb’s sensational 2023 marketing campaign makes it honest for his camp to determine an asking worth akin to Davante Adams’s and Tyreek Hill’s contracts.
In the meantime, 2024 would be the ultimate 12 months of Parsons’ rookie contract, and the Cowboys haven’t exercised their fifth-year choice for him. He’s eligible for contract extension talks after ending his third NFL season, and he’ll command a excessive worth after ending with double-digit sacks in 2023.
3) Prescott isn’t as much as the duty of delivering a Tremendous Bowl to Dallas
The roster they’ve had this season makes them Tremendous Bowl favorites. Other than having the league’s highest-scoring offense, in addition they have a top-ten protection led by Parsons. Regardless of these common season achievements, their promising marketing campaign led to catastrophe.
Dak Prescott will get the lion’s share of the blame after throwing two interceptions, together with a pick-six to Darnell Savage. The sport’s complexion may have been totally different with out these turnovers.
As a substitute of re-signing him, the Cowboys could be higher off buying and selling or chopping him after June 1 to distribute his $59.4 million cap hit over two seasons.
