Why the Dak Prescott deadline lacked urgency and risk

We try to explain how the Dak Prescott deadline lacked urgency and risk

The phrase ‘deadlines make deals’ will be mocked in many articles about the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott failing to agree on a contract extension on Wednesday.

It’s a well known saying in Cowboys circles as in years past the front office has repeatedly boasted about their penchant for signing hefty contract extensions just before the final gun sounded.

The big difference between this deadline and others like Dez Bryant and DeMarcus Lawrence was the lack of urgency and risk. Once Prescott signed his franchise tender weeks before the deadline, the risk of missed time was mitigated for both sides.

No sweat off Dak Prescott’s back

Prescott’s rookie contract was worth $2.7 million over the duration of his first four seasons. Next season he will make a guaranteed $31.4 million. According to Spotrac.com it’s the highest 2020 base salary of any NFL quarterback by $7.6 million.

With four starting seasons of highly competent quarterback play under his belt, a less impressive season would still allow Prescott to command high dollar free agency offers in 2021. Even with a hiccup season, there will always be a bottom feeder like that Washington team willing to overbid for past production the years prior.

Barring a catastrophic injury, Prescott will get paid next year one way or another. Either through a second franchise tag in Dallas or a quarterback hungry, free agency suitor. He’s firmly positioned in the driver’s seat and his negotiating side knows it.

Cowboys calm and collected

Once Dak signed his franchise tender, Dallas knew who their starting quarterback would be in 2020. There would be no holdouts, no missed training camp, and the position was set. They were going to pay Prescott over $30 million on the tag or with his four year contract request, so the money was comparable.

Dallas also has the option of a second franchise tag in 2021. Even if the two years combined cost $70 million ($35 million per year average), the numbers would remain in the same ballpark as a four year extension.

Allowing the new head coach to personally assess Dak and evaluate his ceiling is a bonus. If he leads them back to deep playoff glory, the front office will gladly pay his further elevated contract demands. He’d be the undeniable guy and paid accordingly.

If Dak were to regress or not fit the bill for new coach Mike McCarthy, Dallas holds his rights for two seasons (two tags). Thus giving them plenty of time to explore other options in two more drafts and free agency.

The only sour grapes on the plate will be eaten by the fan base. The front office is comfortable living with the tag season. Prescott is likely even more content with playing it out knowing a bigger payday than $31.4 million per year is inevitable.

For whatever reasons it didn’t work out for both camps this year. Neither side will lose sleep waiting to come back to the table next offseason. Prescott will be the starting quarterback for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys, same as it was last week.