The offseason is here, and ahead of free agency, teams are looking at their own rosters. Whether it be re-signing impending free agents or restructuring other contracts, no teams are inactive right now.
For the Dallas Cowboys, they’re looking at getting a deal done with quarterback Dak Prescott on an extension. How is the NFL world reacting to his reported high demands?
Dak Prescott’s $60 Million Demands
Prescott signed a four-year, $160 million deal with the Cowboys ahead of the 2021 NFL season. However, that means 2024 is the final year of the deal. As a result, the Cowboys and Prescott want to get a deal done to keep him around for the rest of his career.
However, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, Prescott wants to reset the quarterback market with at least $60 million per year. Currently, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has the highest average per year at $55 million. “Biggest mistake they could make,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter).
While Dallas would like to bring Prescott back, a price that steep could cause issues. The team is going to have to re-sign fellow superstars CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons soon, among others, who will all command top money at their positions.
In 2023, Prescott had a career year, finishing as an MVP finalist. He passed for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. In his eight-year NFL career, all with the Cowboys, he’s passed for 29,459 yards, 202 touchdowns, and 74 interceptions.
Additionally, he is a three-time Pro Bowler, one-time second-team All-Pro, one-time NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and one-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. He has also led the NFL in passing touchdowns once, which was this last season.
While the Cowboys may not want to give Prescott the money he wants, they don’t have much leverage in the situation. In 2024, he holds a $59.45 million cap hit, one the Cowboys would definitely like to move back in a new deal. Additionally, he cannot be franchise-tagged next year and has a no-trade clause in his contract.
KEEP READING: Unpacking the Rumors of Dak Prescott Playing for Another Team in 2025
“Jesus, how did the Cowboys work themselves into such a bad situation,” another NFL fan said on X. To take matters even further in Prescott’s favor, if he were to walk in free agency next season, Dallas would still take on $36.4 million in dead money for 2025.
“The problem with his leverage is that he continually doesn’t show up when it matters most,” another fan said. Under Prescott’s lead, the Cowboys have gone 73-41 and have won the NFC East four times. However, Prescott is just 2-5 in the playoffs in his career. This includes a blowout loss to the seventh-seeded Green Bay Packers in 2023.
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