Dak Prescott is one member of the oft-discussed trio of Cowboys who have yet to sign an extension this offseason. Negotiations have been ongoing through the start of training camp, which the MVP runner-up has participated in.
The latest update on the matter indicated the next move belongs to Prescott’s camp as Dallas continues to try and also hammer out deals for wideout CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parsons. Prescott cannot receive the franchise tag, and only an extension can smooth out his projected 2024 cap hit of $55.13MM. That gives him considerable leverage, although he has repeatedly said finances are not his primary concern on a new Cowboys pact.
“You understand what a brotherhood means, not only for just this team but the fraternity of the NFL and the players,” Prescott said when asked about where things stand (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “The money is out there and the money can happen. It can be done. There’s ways to make everything work for both ways. That’s in that sense it’s always about pushing the envelope for the next man.”
Those remarks carry a similar sentiment to the one Prescott expressed earlier this week with respect to moving the top of the QB market. $55MM per year remains the benchmark after Joe Burrow landed that figure on his Bengals extension last offseason and Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) and Jordan Love (Packers) matched it in 2024. A Prescott accord could take the position to new heights, though the terms the 31-year-old is seeking are not known.
Lamb continues to hold out of training camp as he seeks an extension at or near the top of the receiver market. At least one offer has been made as negotiations continue, and Prescott noted Lamb remains hopeful a deal on his end will be struck to pave the way for a return to the team. Unlike veterans, players attached to their rookie contracts (such as Lamb) can have the fines incurred by training camp absences waived.
All Prescott and Lamb negotiations must take into account the fact that Parsons is eligible for an extension of his own. Owner Jerry Jones recently confirmed a monster Parsons contract has not been forgotten about relative to the Cowboys’ other priorities. The team’s top edge rusher is under contract through 2025, though, whereas Lamb and Prescott are pending free agents. The latter does not appear close to striking a deal, but he remains optimistic one can be worked out allowing him to meet his stated goal of remaining in Dallas.
“I’ve never truly cared about the number whether it was the first time in the franchise tag and the negotiations or now,” Prescott added. “That’s why I said I have an agent that I’m confident in and a front office that we can figure out something for both of us that makes sense.”