ESPN NFL national reporter Dan Graziano gave nervous Dallas Cowboys fans hope last week when he reported that “at least some optimism” existed that quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys could agree to a long-term contract extension “before or early in the regular season.”
On Wednesday, Cowboys insider Jon Machota of The Athletic suggested contract talks between the two parties would end after kickoff of this Sunday’s Week 1 game between Dallas and the Cleveland Browns.
“If a new deal is not reached by the season opener Sunday in Cleveland, don’t expect one to get done during the season,” Machota said about the Prescott situation. “That’s generally not how Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones does business.”
Machota shared his update one day after NFL insider Dianna Russini said on the latest episode of The Athletic’s “Scoop City” podcast that “the hold up” regarding a Prescott deal “is the years the Cowboys are willing to commit to.” Meanwhile, Jones recently indicated that having Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy out of contract following the upcoming season is related to “looking for ways to make sure [outsiders/fans] can’t say that I’ve got some kind of structure that breeds complacency.”
Prescott is responsible for a 2-5 career postseason record and has never guided the Cowboys beyond the divisional round of the playoffs.
Interestingly, Machota noted that a Prescott extension “would likely be done” if the 31-year-old “was willing to take a very team-friendly deal.” The 2023 regular-season Most Valuable Player Award finalist could receive a contract worth up to $70M annually if he reaches free agency in March 2025.
Per the terms of his current deal, the Cowboys can’t retain Prescott’s rights via the franchise tag.
Jones turns 82 this fall and probably wouldn’t warmly embrace the idea of starting over with a new coaching staff and a rookie quarterback. With that said, some have already linked Dallas with Atlanta Falcons veteran Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons may be willing to trade Cousins early next year if they feel that Michael Penix Jr., the eighth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, is ready to take over as their QB1.
“As the weeks and months have passed, it has become more and more likely that Prescott will play out the final year of his four-year, $160M contract,” Machota added.
It remains to be seen if Jones will experience a change of heart before Sunday afternoon arrives.
