Cowboys Rumors: Latest on Dak Prescott’s Contract, Future After Upset Loss to Packers

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Representatives for the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott “are expected to convene at some point and talk for a while” about a new contract, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Many fans were left to wonder whether the Cowboys might now seriously consider a change in the wake of their 48-32 defeat to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round. Prescott threw for 403 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, numbers that are somewhat flattering since the majority of his output came after Dallas dug itself into a 27-0 hole.

The three-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his contract in 2024, and Fowler said Monday on SportsCenter the nature of the quarterback market could point to his continued presence in Dallas.

“The Cowboys know how hard it is to get a good quarterback and Prescott is largely considered a top-10 passer in this league,” Fowler said. “So, it would be mildly surprising if they moved on from him, but with that 2-5 playoff record, certainly that could be a negotiating point for Dallas that comes up over the coming months.”

Therein lies the dilemma for the Cowboys.

Prescott’s current deal averages $40 million annually, so he’ll presumably be looking for something in the $45 million or $50 million range. Thanks to the inflationary nature of the market, his average salary only gets you Daniel Jones these days.

Committing that kind of money to Prescott after another underwhelming showing in the postseason isn’t exactly an enticing prospect.

However, Dallas doesn’t have a clear path to an upgrade in the short term. Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield are the headliners in a lackluster free-agent class, and it’s too early to know which QBs will be realistic trade candidates. A major trade up in the first round would be required for the Cowboys to land one of the top signal-callers in the 2024 NFL draft.

Unless the franchise is willing to hit the reset button, running it back with Prescott is the most sensible call.

And maybe a coaching change—be it with head coach Mike McCarthy or offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer—is all that’s required to help yield a different outcome with a Prescott-led squad.