They’re had been little, if any, relevant progress in negotiations between the Dallas Cowboys and their quarterback Dak Prescott. The team has until March 9 to consider spending another year of Prescott playing under the franchise tag.
If so, Prescott would be set to make around $37.7 million. If the team were to tag him for a third time in 2022, he would receive a 44% increase. While the end goal may be to sign a long-term deal, getting tagged another year may not be a bad idea for the six-year pro. As for the team, only time will tell.
In an interview with ESPN, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kurt Cousins gave his thoughts about playing under the franchise tag. The last player to be tagged twice and play under the designation in NFL history, Cousins is the one person who can speak from experience.
“Well, the only piece I’ve said to him in crossing his path by going back maybe a couple of offseasons was just to make the point that the franchise tag can be your friend; it can be a help to you if that’s the route you choose to go,” Cousins said.
Via Pro Football Talk, Cousins relayed what advice he would give Prescott.
“So, he played on the franchise tag this past year. I think he’s in a great spot now. Everybody knows he can play, and he’s an elite quarterback. Really, the ball is more in the court of the Cowboys and what they want to do going forward. But I think it’s a no-brainer that Dak’s the real deal and is going to have a great career moving forward. He’s in a really good spot.”
Concerned things may be approaching and end, former team quarterback Troy Aikman told the Dallas Morning News that if a deal isn’t reached soon, Prescott’s days in Dallas will be numbered.
“I’d be really surprised if he’s playing under the franchise tag again this year,’’ Aikman said. “My guess is if he is, that will be the last we see of Dak Prescott.
“I just can’t imagine that he’s going to feel really good giving an open negotiation to the Cowboys if he’s played two years under the franchise tag.”
This will be the third off-season Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will have a chance to bridge the gap with their quarterback. They’ve always operated like they had plenty of time, but that’s running out.