The Dallas Cowboys took care of their most pressing contract situation last week, extending wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for another four years through the 2028 season. Lamb is now making the most net income of any non-QB, playing half his games in no-state tax Texas and averaging $34 million a season.
Lamb was one of three superstars Dallas had to worry about, but issues remain on the contract front when it comes to quarterback Dak Prescott. Like Lamb, Prscott is entering the last year of his deal. Unlike Lamb, Prescott reported to offseason activities and training camp. With much conversation about whether or not the team will be able to reach an agreement with their franchise player, along with whether or not they should, one question hasn’t been asked very often.
What is the incentive for Prescott to agree to a deal now? Here are three reasons why he may be more willing to stay on the market than people may realize.
Cowboys History
The Cowboys have been blessed with two finds at the quarterback position; do fans realize that Tony Romo joined the club over 20 years ago? While Romo likely isn’t going to make the Hall of Fame, he and Prescott have regularly been among. the league’s best quarterbacks at various times in their tenure.
Yet the organization cannot make progress in the playoffs. From Prescott’s perspective, he’s 5 months away from being able to choose his own franchise and it could be one that has proven capable of putting together a world champion some time this millenium.
Bidding war maximizes his value on the street
Nfl Ny Giants Vs Dallas Cowboys Cowboys At Giants
Even if Prescott intends to remain with the Dallas organization, why would he not maximize his value? The 2025 free agent market is absolutely barren, unless Russell Wilson or Justin Fields rejuvenates their stock to a tremendous level this year.
The bidding war for Prescott would be absolutely insane, regardless of what his detractors think about him. Prescott is a proven winner with a .640 regular season winning percentage, and has two top-six MVP finishes in his eight years. Kirk Cousins has a career .531 winning percentage, has never sniffed an MVP vote is 36 and just got $45 million a season.
With Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa signing extensions with their team, there’s going to be a bidding war, especially with the 2022 QB class falling into the abyss already.
Resigning without knowing the coaching staff and system makes little sense
The final point, who knows what’s going on with Dallas next season? Prescott has now played through three systems, learning under Jason Garrett while winning rookie of the year, while excelling with both Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy’s system. But Dallas could turn over the apple cart this offseason with their coaching staff.
Signing now, while the front office could certainly lean on his input, limits his options as far as his next system should the Joneses move on from McCarthy. Waiting to see what they do following the season gives Prescott additional leverage in the decision, for better or worse. If he doesn’t like the hire, he can go find a team who he does agree with their philosophy. And if there’s an opening for a team he’s dreamed about playing for? Even better.
There are plenty of reasons why Prescott would want to sign with Dallas before the season starts, but these are tangible explanations why the ball isn’t exactly in Dallas’ court, regardless of what their offers look like.