One of the best-known agents in the NFL is parting ways with his agency. Todd France, who represents Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, has reportedly mutually agreed with CAA to part ways, per Sports Business Journal. The news comes as a surprise with the NFL’s regular season about a month away, especially for Cowboys fans who read all about Prescott’s negotiations in the past few months.
Although we don’t know what will happen, many in Cowboys Nation have been overreacting in social media in different ways. By now, you’ve probably seen both the “Todd France is terrible” takes and the “All of France’s clients will follow” takes.
The truth is not that simple, though. As of right now, we don’t know what Prescott’s decision will be. With Todd France leaving CAA, the Cowboys’ starting quarterback has a tough decision to make. Does he stick with the agent or the agency? This is likely a difficult decision to which fans have little to no insight.
After all, negotiations are complicated. The fact that the Cowboys’ front office and Dak didn’t reach an agreement doesn’t mean France is a bad agent, as many have suggested on social media. We know the two sides’ disagreement stemmed mainly from the contract’s duration. How early is it to jump on conclusions about France’s work?
So how does this impact Dak’s future in Dallas?
While many have speculated about Prescott changing his representation, there’s little reason to believe the odds of him remaining a Cowboy will shift either way.
Whoever is representing him, Dak Prescott will likely be tagged for the second time in 2021. If he is, he’ll be still holding all of the cards, with a potential third tag costing the team over $54M.
By now, Dak has bet on himself twice. Prior to the 2019 season, Prescott decided to play out his rookie deal in hopes of breaking the bank in 2020. Now, with him set to play under the tag, he’ll be hoping to raise his price tag on the field to be paid next season.
But if by then the front office still refuses to come to grips with the current QB market, Prescott will likely place a bet on himself for a third time, this time guaranteeing himself free agency in 2022.
Whoever his agent is by then, don’t expect the negotiations to change dramatically. Dak will still demand his worth, and if the Cowboys’ front office still ignores what the QB market is like (paying top dollar to keep your franchise quarterback around), things will still get ugly.
