Dallas Cowboys: A new deal for Dak Prescott should be off the table

The Dallas Cowboys have a big decision on whether to pay Dak Prescott or not. Here’s why a new deal should be off the table.

Quarterback Dak Prescott is coming off of his third NFL season. Prescott’s been an exciting part of this new Dallas Cowboys‘ team. And one could argue that he is the face of it. This offseason, Prescott appears to be up for a major payday via a contract extension.

A payday that is rumored to be top dollar among NFL quarterbacks, because that is how the position works. If you are remotely decent and your contract is nearly up, you will get paid. Just look at fellow quarterbacks like Case Keenum, Kirk Cousins, Sam Bradford, and many others. The list goes on and on.

With that said, here’s the main point of this article. That paying Prescott should not be a priority for the Cowboys’ front office right now. While the young passer has made the playoffs two of his three seasons, he has also failed to develop as a starting NFL quarterback.

Prescott has a bright future as an elite dual-threat, no doubt. But he also shows signs of just being average and nothing more. While I personally put a lot of blame for that on former offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, it isn’t all his fault. Missing wide open targets is not a result of bad play-calling.

One might be asking now if you don’t pay Prescott, what if he walks? Who’s his replacement? Consider this. Next year, if the Cowboys pay Prescott and the team fails to make a deep playoff run, this project is over.

I think it’s time to hit rebuild mode. Unless that quarterback is an all-time great, teams who give their passers top dollar deals often have a hard time finding their way to Super Bowls. If you look at the teams with current contending windows like the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, and Philadelphia Eagles (who just won); all have quarterbacks on cheap deals.

With the exception of the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, the rest of the playoff teams had quarterbacks making less than $21 million per season. There are reasons for why these two franchises had success with their passers on massive deals. And it isn’t luck.

The Colts had an insane rookie draft class in which they had multiple keys starts on rookie deals to make up for their quarterback on a massive one. And the Saints have also had several good first, second and third-year players play key roles the last few seasons as well as an elite coach. You can’t have it all. And the Cowboys have to realize that.

If Prescott falters this upcoming season and then asks for elite quarterback money, you don’t even think about it. It isn’t worth it. How much money would you spend on a 26-year old dual-threat quarterback with accuracy issues?

If the Cowboys are going to lock Prescott up on a six-year, $175-$200 million deal, Dallas will be handicapping themselves. All the while hoping the third-year passer can somehow improve before he hits his 32nd birthday.

Without that salary cap space, you’re also hoping to hit on nearly all of your draft picks. That’s a difficult game to play. And not a game I’d want to play if I was the Dallas Cowboys. Certainly not one I want them playing as a die-hard fan.