How about them Cowboys?
Things are looking good for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. According to multiple reports, he plans to sign his $31.4 million exclusive franchise tender by Monday.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the story.
The two sides still have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. The Cowboys had placed the franchise tag on Prescott on March 18.
By signing his franchise tender, Prescott will be contractually obligated to report to training camp on time. This is whether or not he and the Cowboys can figure out a long-term deal.
However, Prescott’s decision to sign is not an indication that a long-term agreement is close.
Prescott will be one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. The potential that his franchise tag increases by a mandatory 20% next season to $37.7 million, with a flat or lower cap in 2021, gives Dallas incentive to secure a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline.
Devil in The Details
During the offseason, the Cowboys made a long-term offer to Prescott that would put him among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. Seattle’s Russell Wilson is currently the highest paid at $35 million per season.
He is followed by Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger at $34 million.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones believes that Prescott is the team’s quarterback of the future and capable of leading the franchise back to a Super Bowl.
Prescott has said on multiple occasions that he never wanted to leave the Cowboys. He turns 27 in July.
The Cowboys had hoped to sign Prescott to an extension last offseason that would have guaranteed him nine figures. However, the quarterback bet on himself, willing to play for $2.02 million in 2019.
By The Numbers
Prescott completed 388 of 596 passes for 4,902 yards and 30 touchdown passes last season. He had his worst record as a starter (8-8) as the Cowboys missed the playoffs.
However, his growth as a passer was obvious as the Cowboys had two 1,000-yard receivers in Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
The Cowboys took Prescott with their second pick of the fourth round in the 2016 draft — a compensatory pick at No. 135 overall.
When Tony Romo went down in the 2016 preseason with a back injury, the Cowboys turned to Prescott. Since then, he has started each of Dallas’ 64 games.
Prescott was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 2016 after throwing 23 touchdown passes to four interceptions as Dallas went 13-3. The Cowboys had home-field advantage in the NFC but lost in the divisional round of the playoffs to the Green Bay Packers on a last-second field goal.
In 2018, Prescott guided the Cowboys back to the playoffs after a 3-5 start and won his first postseason game in the wild-card round against the Seahawks. The Cowboys lost in the divisional round to the Los Angeles Rams.
In his four seasons, Prescott ranks among the top five quarterbacks in wins (40), passing touchdowns (97), rushing TDs (21) and Total QBR (68), becoming one of the NFL’s biggest bargains.
He also earned $4 million in salary and signing bonus the past four seasons.
Prescott has thrown for 15,778 yards with 36 interceptions in his career. He has 12 300-yard passing games, one behind Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman for second in team history.
Prescott’s 21 career rushing touchdowns is one more than Hall of Famer Roger Staubach for the most by a quarterback in team history.
