Dak Prescott, playing arguably the best football of his career, was the favorite to win the 2023 NFL MVP award heading into Week 15 of last season. Then the Dallas Cowboys floundered in the playoffs again, making Prescott’s lingering contract expiration date an even bigger talking point this offseason.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones attempted to quell any talk regarding the lack of confidence in Prescott and the quarterback’s future with the team. during an interview Monday with Adam Schein on Mad Dog Sports Radio.
“I mean, I totally think Dak can lead us to the championship,” Jones said. “He does everything the right way. He is certainly the leader of this football team. It keeps everyone motivated during the offseason. He asks everyone to train and do whatever it takes to give themselves the best chance of winning a championship. It turns out that sometimes, you know, that old oblong football doesn’t bounce in your direction.
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“And we had some breaks and tough games in the playoffs. But you know, we won 12 games three years in a row. I think it’s right at the top of what the teams have done over a three-year period. And, you know, we hang around the edge. We just have to go out there and grab him, to use a basketball term, and dunk him in there. We hang around the edge. We just have to do the work.
Prescott turns 31 on July 29. He is coming off a 2023 season in which he threw for 4,516 yards with a career-best 69.5 completion percentage with a league-leading 36 touchdown passes, compared to just nine interceptions. But the 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC wild-card round seemingly overshadowed Prescott’s impressive season.
Right now, Prescott is a lame-duck quarterback entering the final year of his contract. He is expected to deduct $55.1 million from this year’s salary cap, according to Over the Cap. He’s also signed for approximately $40.1 million in dead money for next year once his current contract is voided, making him a free agent after 2024.
Jones said it was a “priority” to reach a new contract with Prescott. Franchise QB contracts, “they just take time,” Jones said.
By mid-April, Prescott said there had been no progress on a new deal. The quarterback said he spoke about his contract with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, but also noted that “real” negotiations had not taken place.
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(Photo: Perry Knotts/Getty Images)