Dak Prescott’s contract is up in the air, but he should be in no rush to bring it down. After all, Prescott can use the league as proof of his value. They voted him 2nd for MVP, right after the Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes.
Many analysts and critics wonder what’s taking so long, but it’s pretty obvious why, especially at this point. Prescott is uninterested in signing a quick contract.
Dak Prescott Shouldn’t Rush His Contract Negotiations
Prescott Can Inflate His Value
The biggest criticism against Dak Prescott is his inability to be clutch. He’s proved over and over to be a class-action choke in the playoffs. This is why Jerry Jones hesitates to write him a fat check. Do they want to stake the franchise on a guy who has gone 2-5 in the playoffs? Probably not.
So here’s what Prescott needs to do–he needs to show out when it matters the most, when the money is on the line. This upcoming schedule is looking to be one of the hardest schedules the Cowboys have played in years. If Prescott can hold his own in the regular season, it’ll be very telling. Prescott making the playoffs would be extraordinary. The check is more than cashed if Prescott can win more than one more than one playoff game.
Not saying it’ll be easy, but Prescott could bet on himself and wait out a contract.
Prescott Could Wait Until Free Agency
If Dallas allows Prescott to be a free agent, then he can create a bidding war amongst other teams that want him desperately. If he actually wins some big games, then he’ll be looking to capitalize on his great season with a nice paycheck.
However, there is a tradeoff here. If Prescott leaves Dallas for an inflated paycheck somewhere else, I doubt he’ll ever win a Super Bowl. A team willing to fork over that much cash for Prescott is not a team that will have many weapons at his disposal. He’s already shown that he isn’t the guy when push comes to shove. Paying him won’t suddenly make that true.
Over the past 5 years in Dallas, Prescott has had a variety of weapons at his disposal on offense. Still, he has failed to go anywhere in the playoffs. Switching teams would seal his fate.
Quarterbacks are Getting Paid to Be Mediocre
While the Cowboys might be hesitating or unwilling to pay him, Prescott could look for love elsewhere. And he’ll find it.
Right now, the league is inflating the value of quarterbacks. Guys with injuries and two playoff wins are making $55 million. It’s insane. So of course, Dak Prescott is looking at them and wanting a piece of the pie too. Especially when it isn’t taking much to get some.
If you look at the highest-paid QBs in the league, you’ll notice the trend:
- Joe Burrow: $55 million, 5-2 in the playoffs
- Trevor Lawrence: $55 million, 1-1 in the playoffs
- Jared Goff: $53 million, 2-1 in the playoffs
- Justin Herbert: $52.5 million, 0-1 in the playoffs
- Lamar Jackson: $52 million, 2-5 in the playoffs
Realistically, Prescott is equal or better than all but one on that list with his playoff record of 2-5. In his eyes, he deserves the money if they do.
There’s also the fact that Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins and Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers are also waiting out their contract extensions. If they get more money, then Dak Prescott’s contract amount only goes up.
Waiting to Sign Dak Prescott’s Contract
The only risk Prescott has with waiting is injury. If he does end up injured, it will deflate his value, though not by much. Other players have been known to still receive a solid pay day with injuries.
If Prescott waits, he’s betting on himself–betting that he’ll have a season worth a nice salary. And that bet could be cashed in with another team.
Main Image: Chris Jones – USA Today Sports
