With the 2024 NFL season drawing closer, the Dallas Cowboys and their quarterback, Dak Prescott, find themselves in a high-stakes game of financial chess. While contract extension talks have stalled, leaving Prescott poised to play the upcoming season on a one-year deal, some experts believe Prescott holds a strong hand in these negotiations.
Dak Prescott’s Leveraged Position
Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz shared his perspective on FS1’s “Speak,” commending Prescott’s poised approach. The reason that Dak is playing this well is because he already knows.
He is preconditioned to see, I have all the leverage, Schultz remarked pointing to Prescott’s $55 million cap hit, no-trade clause, and no-tag clause as indicators of his advantageous position. With free agency approaching and Prescott still only 31 years old, Schultz sees this situation as a golden opportunity.
Dak Prescott & Brandin Cooks back to business in Phase 2 of the offseason. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/Jcq6VUMNxl
— Tony Catalina (@Tony_Catalina) May 1, 2024
Comparing Contracts and Career Paths
Schultz also drew parallels with Kirk Cousins, who secured a four-year, $180 million deal from the Atlanta Falcons. Prescott’s age and performance in the 2023 season, where he finished second in MVP voting with 36 touchdown passes, position him favorably for a potentially record-breaking contract.
Schultz emphasized Prescott’s strategic advantage: “If you are Dak Prescott, you are handling this perfectly, because the worst-case scenario is you play it out, have another Pro Bowl type of season, and suddenly you become the highest-paid quarterback in the league or one of them.”
Dak Prescott Uncertainty and the Risk of Regression
Yet, even with Prescott’s impressive stats last season, the looming risk of regression cannot be ignored. Just a year earlier, in 2022, Prescott led the league in interceptions despite playing only 12 games. A step back in performance in 2024 could significantly affect his market value and his prospects of securing the $60 million annually he reportedly seeks.
Dallas Cowboys Future Ahead With Dak Prescott
While Prescott’s current performance and strategic handling of negotiations bolster his leverage, the outcome is far from guaranteed. The 2024 season will reveal if the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback made the right gamble or if unforeseen factors will impact his desired contract. Either way, the league will be watching closely to see how this high-stakes saga unfolds.
