As is usually the case, one of the NFL’s biggest headlines this offseason surrounded the Dallas Cowboys. Would they franchise tag quarterback Dak Prescott again or could a long-awaited extension finally happen?
The latter took place on Monday.
According to Cowboys Wire, Dallas and Prescott agreed to a massive new contract worth up to $160 million over four years.
In terms of the Buffalo Bills, on the surface, Prescott’s deal means little. But below it? It means a whole lot.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen is entering the final year of his rookie contract on the heels of an unprecedented breakout season in 2020.
Because of last year, the Buffalo QB and the Cowboys’ signal caller have something in common. Most would agree that they both belong in the same realm of discussion in terms of elite quarterbacks in the NFL.
Therefore, with Allen being on the brink of a contract extension of his own, it’s important to note the details of Prescott’s extension. It could be an example of how much the Bills might have to shell out to Allen.
Of Prescott’s $160M, he will get $126M fully guaranteed, a NFL record for guaranteed value. In terms of average annual value, Prescott clocks in at $40M per year. Only Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has a higher figure ($45M).
Another non-financial number to consider: Age. Currently 27, Prescott has a few years on the current 24-year-old Allen. That and two NFL seasons worth of experience.
Over their first three seasons, here’s how Prescott and Allen’s number stack up, side-by-side:
- Prescott: 66.1 completion % | 10,876 passing yards | 67 pass TDs | 25 INTs
- Allen: 61.8 completion % | 9,707 passing yards | 67 pass TDs | 31 INTs
And of course, none of the numbers listed include Allen’s rushing totals. In two less seasons, Allen (1,562) has ran for more yards than Prescott (1,314).
While we can continue to breakdown projections heading forward and in the past between Allen and Prescott, it’s already pretty simple to see. Prescott’s deal shows it might be a good idea for the Bills to lockup Allen to a contract extension as soon as possible. Allen will command something around that same area, perhaps even more if he doubles down on his improvement in 2021 like many in Bills Mafia hope he does.
Not the mention the other factors that might come into play.
What if Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield signs an extension within the ballpark of Prescott? Allen’s price tag will then certainly go up even further since he has had the better career-to-date than Mayfield.
Then there’s Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson as well. He also could reset the market. Allen, Mayfield, and Jackson are all entering the final years on their rookie deals.
Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane will certainly be taking all of this into consideration.
A few weeks back, Beane said Allen’s contract extension might have to wait until later this offseason. Beane specifically said after free agency this month and April’s draft.
Fair… but Beane and the Bills might not want to push it any further down the road than that, even if the team picks up the fifth-year option on Allen’s rookie contract. As the Cowboys proved, putting things off with your franchise QB might only increase the financial implications.
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