In an otherwise very quiet offseason in Dallas, the Cowboys and star quarterback Dak Prescott are once again storming NFL headlines with a contract situation.
Following the teams' playoff loss to the Packers, an early-offseason extension looked guaranteed.
As the offseason inched closer, however, it was all quiet on both fronts.
The issue there is without an extension for Prescott it was going to leave Dallas in salary cap turmoil for this year's free agency period, and that is exactly what happened.
The Cowboys were left with virtually nothing to spend and it cost them.
Losing out on in-house starters and depth pieces, and only bringing in one external free agent has left the status of the 2024 roster in the hands of a draft class that only holds seven picks.
Now, the storylines are that Prescott and the front office are not discussing an extension, and he could be well on his way to testing free agency in 2025.
This has led to a lot of frustration and fear from Cowboys fans, and rightfully so.
But if we look at what both sides have said and the team's history, a Prescott extension is still the most likely outcome.
Let's talk about why that is.
Looking Past Headlines
Don't let the big headlines scare you, there is no indication that the two sides are quitting on an extension, it may just be the opposite.
Additionally, amid the many cryptic, nonsensical comments from Owner and General Manager, Jerry Jones this offseason, there have been some telling quotes from both the organization and Prescott about a deal coming together.
Earlier this offseason, Prescott commented that he is not worried about the contract and that the deal “will happen”.
Dak Prescott on a potential new deal: “I'm definitely confident, obviously it helps the team and it's important for the numbers. I've heard Jerry say that. This is a process, both sides understand that. Everything is great. It will happen.”
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) March 4, 2024
The entire quote from Prescott should give Cowboys fans a reason to relax.
He is saying both sides understand it is a process, that they have talked, and that he is confident it will get done.
So, the question is how did we get to a place where there is rampant talk that Prescott will leave in free agency and that the two sides are done talking?
The answer is there was a new report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport yesterday, and it turned this whole conversation into a frenzy.
Rapoport essentially said there is no indication a Prescott deal is coming and that it clears the way for him to hit free agency
That said, a contract extension not being imminent does not mean there won't be one, and other reporters have come out since reiterating that.
CBS Sports reporter, Josina Anderson, said this morning that the team intends to work out a deal.
Additionally, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News said the team is not ruling out an extension this year.
Regarding the #Cowboys and Dak Prescott, I'm told the team does intend to work out a contract for their 3x-Pro Bowl quarterback and also has not closed off potential to consummate a deal for him this year, per source.
While there's currently no offer or imminent talks, the team… pic.twitter.com/02yfYD7CUA
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 27, 2024
That does not mean Rapoport was wrong.
There is not an offer on the table, there likely won't be one soon, and if that stays the same from now until the 2025 offseason, Prescott will hit free agency.
It just does not seem like the current radio silence from both sides will last and that the plan is to get a deal done eventually.
Prescott leaving would be far too detrimental for an extension to not be the realistic outcome.
Prescott's Importance
Despite the talk about Trey Lance, a blockbuster trade, or Dallas angling towards Shedeur Sanders, there is no question about who gives Dallas the best chance to win.
It has been Prescott and it will remain that way until further notice.
Looking around the league is the easiest reality check both fans and the organization can get to put any talk of moving on from the 8-year veteran to bed.
The amount of teams in “quarterback purgatory” is more than you'd think, and those teams would do anything to get a guy with Prescott's ability on their team.
Organizations are fighting over the right to draft prospects like J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix.
With all due respect to McCarthy and Nix, you could not pay me to choose either of them over an experienced veteran who just finished second in the league in MVP voting.
Prescott is a proven, elite commodity, and the organization knows this.
Just this week, Jones commented that he firmly believes Prescott is one of the few quarterbacks in the league who can win their team a Super Bowl.
“I think there are a handful or more of quarterbacks playing who haven't won a Super Bowl that will win a Super Bowl.
“I think Dak is one of them. I'm firm there. He's one of the ones who can.”
_ Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Dak Prescott. pic.twitter.com/pZjDACIQqA
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) March 24, 2024
Despite the “stealth-rebuild” direction the team appears to be headed toward in 2024, Jones is not going to let a quarterback he thinks can win a Super Bowl walk out the door.
Especially considering the great relationship the two sides have.
The drama-filled Prescott free agency sweepstakes is a fun thing to imagine, and it gets huge media attention because of that, but that is simply not the likely way this saga is going to end.
