Dak Prescott’s Contract Demand For Cowboys
Dak Prescott’s contract demand for the Cowboys has been the subject of much speculation. Everything from $30 million to $40 million annually has been suggested.
Recently, an NFL agent with experience in situations like Prescott’s offered his two cents on what sort of deal the superstar quarterback would command this offseason.
Over the past few years, the 26-year-old has been playing off his rookie deal. That means Dallas has been getting star-level production at a bargain basement price.
Now that Prescott is entering free agency, he wants to be compensated at the financial level that a player of his stature should be compensated.
Last year, the former Mississippi State star had a career-best year. He recorded 4,902 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The year prior, in 2018, he amassed 3,885 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Any which way you want to look at it, Prescott is a very capable quarterback.
Currently, the top paid players in the NFL are the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson with $35 million per year, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger with $34 million, the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers with $33.5 million, the Los Angeles Rams’ Jared Goff with $33.5 million and the Philadelphia Eagles’ Carson Wentz with $32 million.
Prescott wants to find himself somewhere on that list next season – likely near the top.
Recently, CBS Sports analyst Joel Corry predicted that when the dust settles, Prescott will end as the highest paid player in the NFL. He believes the deal will be for $150 million total and pay $37.5 million annually. Of that $150 million, he thinks roughly $120 million will be guaranteed.
How much money should Dak Prescott aim for in his next contract?@corryjoel‘s Target Prices for the top QB Free Agents of 2020: https://t.co/0kqrQ32jiv
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) February 20, 2020
“Prescott becoming the NFL’s highest paid player wouldn’t be surprising,” CBS Sports noted.
“Being in the best quarterback discussion isn’t a prerequisite for becoming the highest paid player.
“Since 2017, Derek Carr (Raiders), Matthew Stafford (Lions), Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers) and Kirk Cousins (Vikings) became the highest paid player when signing their respective contracts.”
While Prescott’s stats certainly justify a big payday, it is hard to ignore the lack of success the Cowboys have experienced with him at the helm.
Last year, after getting off to a hot start, Dallas ultimately flopped when it mattered most and did not even make the playoffs.
Perhaps in part because of this, Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith recently came out and called on Prescott to take less money so that the team has more financial flexibility to work with.
“Dak has to understand and maybe take another perspective,” Smith said. “
The perspective may not be all the money you get, but how much of the money you’re willing to leave on the table, because the Cowboys are a marketable organization.
“If you’re the face of the franchise, instead of taking $35 [million], would you take $28 [million], and leave some for Amari and pick up the [lost money] through endorsements.”
For what it is worth, Prescott seems to be drowning out all the outside noise and is just focused on what he can control at this stage in the game.
“I control what I control. That’s everything I worry about,” he said.
“When the time comes up, the time will come. It’s not anything I think about.
“Obviously, I’m blessed and very fortunate. I don’t play the game for that, but like I said, if it comes it will be a blessing.”
One way or another, a resolution on the Prescott situation should come within the next month. If he and the Cowboys do not agree to a deal, the team can simply franchise tag him and then decide what it wants to do from there.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
