Stephen Jones Offers Weak Dak Prescott Contract Update
The 2024 NFL season is just a few weeks away and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is still without a new contract extension. The face of the franchise is entering the final season of his contract and as more time passes, Cowboys fans are wondering if the team and player can work out a deal before Prescott hits free agency next March.
On Wednesday, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones was asked if any progress has been made in discussions. Unfortunately, the 60-year-old's response likely isn't what Dallas fans were hoping to hear this late in the offseason.
Cowboys Aim to Sign Dak Prescott Contract Extension Before Week 1
Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein reports that Jones and the Cowboys hope that a Prescott extension "gets done before the start of this season" and that retaining the franchise QB is "our goal."
On one hand, it's great to see that the Cowboys and Prescott are still engaging in discussions. On the other hand, aiming to have a deal done before Week 1 of the regular season is hardly a confidence-inducing update. It doesn't matter if a contract is signed today or in two weeks — the fact is that the 31-year-old's future in Dallas still isn't guaranteed.
Last week, The Athletic's Jeff Howe indicated that the Cowboys and Prescott aren't necessarily close on an extension. The rumor mill points to the three-time Pro Bowl signal-caller looking for at least $55 million annually and while that's the going right for franchise QBs these days, Prescott would be the oldest at his position making that amount.
Despite dealing with ongoing contract negotiations, Prescott has still participated throughout the Cowboys training camp. Meanwhile, his favorite weapon and No. 1 wideout CeeDee Lamb is currently sitting on the sidelines until his big-time extension is finalized.
Signing a new deal as soon as possible would go a long way in limiting off-field distractions.
Since taking over as the Cowboys QB1 in 2016, Prescott has been among the NFL's best passers. During that stretch, the former Mississippi State gunslinger ranks sixth in completions, eighth in passing yards, and sixth in touchdown passes among his peers. It's even more impressive when you realize he missed 11 games in 2020 due to a gruesome ankle injury.
At the end of the day, let's hope that Jones is right and that the Cowboys can extend the 2023 NFL MVP finalist before the regular-season action begins. Oddsmakers are expecting a big year from Prescott as FanDuel Sportsbook is projecting him to throw for 4,075 yards and 28.5 touchdowns in a season where he's tied for the ninth-best MVP odds (+2000).
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