FRISCO, Texas — Many have speculated about the Dallas Cowboys’ delay in signing Dak Prescott to a contract extension, but the quarterback himself has shown patience.
“I don’t play for money. Never have, never cared for it, to be honest,” Prescott said after the Cowboys’ OTAs on Wednesday. “I’d give it up just to play this game. So, I leave that to the business people to determine what I’m worth as a player, a leader. For me, it’s about controlling what I can control and letting the rest take care of itself.”
Prescott is currently in the final year of a four-year, $160 million contract he signed in 2021. His contract includes a no-trade clause, and the team cannot use the franchise tag on him next year.
Prescott has expressed his desire to stay with the Cowboys, and owner and general manager Jerry Jones has repeatedly stated he wants Prescott to remain the quarterback. However, meaningful discussions between the Cowboys and Prescott’s agent, Todd France, have yet to occur.
Recently, the Detroit Lions signed quarterback Jared Goff to a deal worth $53 million annually, including a $73 million signing bonus. Prescott is set to count $55.45 million against the salary cap this year, and without a new deal by next March, he would count more than $40 million against the 2025 cap in dead-money charges.
When asked if a contract is a matter of respect, Prescott said, “I think it depends on personal relationships and position and how much that pay can affect others, understanding where I am and what my pay means to a team and organization. I don’t take things personally. Maybe I did in my first deal, but things are different now with my age, who I am, and the fact that the first deal got done. I have a lot of decision power and say in this too.”
Despite the uncertainty around his contract, Prescott has not missed an offseason workout.
“Right now, it’s about being my best for this team in this moment. OTAs are about helping these guys out, and I’m focused on that. I know my business will take care of itself,” he said. “I’ve been through this before, and I’m just controlling what I can.”
Prescott led the NFL in touchdown passes last year and secured the Cowboys an NFC East title with a third straight 12-5 record, though their season ended in the wild-card round against the Green Bay Packers.
Prescott has yet to advance past the second round of the playoffs in five attempts for a team that hasn’t reached an NFC Championship Game since 1995. His contemporaries in Dallas are ramping up the pressure.
Last fall, the Texas Rangers won the World Series. This week, the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars are competing in the NBA and NHL Western Conference finals.
“It’s not jealousy, but it definitely fires you up,” Prescott said. “Any competitor in my position should feel that way. As a leader of the team, I understand the importance of winning here. Watching our brothers across the city succeed makes me want it even more. Their success raises the stakes and puts more pressure on us, and I’m all for that. Go win it. The Rangers did it. The other two should go do it and put more pressure on us.”
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