The Dallas Cowboys have a big question to answer regarding their quarterback this offseason. No, they are not debating on whether or not they should move on from Dak Prescott, who came in second in NFL MVP voting while making his third Pro Bowl this year.
At 30 years old, Prescott still has a few good years left in him. Recently, fans have seen quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Peyton Manning play well in their late 30’s and even into their 40’s. It stands to reason that Prescott will follow that same course, especially if he stays healthy.
Dallas Cowboys, Dak Prescott
Dec 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws during the second half against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
2024 is the last year of the four-year $160 million contract Prescott signed with the Cowboys ahead of the 2021 season. Due to several restructures and void years added to the deal, Prescott will carry a $59.5 million cap hit in 2024 and a $61.9 million dead cap hit if he were to be released.
Even the void year in 2025 will have a $36.4 million cap hit count against the Cowboys’ salary cap. In other words, it would behoove Jerry Jones to get something worked out with Prescott sooner rather than later.Ezoic
When Patrick Mahomes signed his 10-year $450 million contract a few years ago, it was one of the richest deals for a quarterback in NFL history. And it still is; but the Cincinnati Bengals gave Joe Burrow a five-year deal worth $275 million. Now that isn’t as much as Mahomes’ total, but his $55 million per year is the most in NFL history.
Therefore, when Jones looks at what to offer Prescott, who is in the prime of his career and just had his best season up to this point, he is going to find that, perhaps, he needs to reset the quarterback market.
And that is what one NFL insider thinks will happen.
NFL Insider Predicts the Dallas Cowboys Will Give Dak Prescott $60 Million a Year
According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report:
“This to me is one of the more intriguing quarterback scenarios to hit the offseason for so many reasons.
“One, Dak Prescott probably had the best season of his career. But you also have Dallas who still has to pay CeeDee Lamb. They still have to pay Micah Parsons. And, obviously, they are going to have to pay Dak Prescott.
“Now I have been on the record. I believe Dak Prescott is going to command somewhere along the lines of $60 million per year, potentially making him the highest paid quarterback in the NFL and potentially resetting his quarterback market.”
As mentioned, the current highest-paid quarterback in the NFL is Burrow who makes $55 million per year. To make Prescott the highest paid quarterback in the league, Jones and the Cowboys would not have to go as high as $60 million, but Jones is known to spend big bucks when he wants to.
A $60 million per year salary would certainly set a new standard of quarterback play, one that could change contract negotiations for many young players.