Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was trending throughout the day on Thursday following a contested report from Chris Simms earlier in the week that the Cowboys have offered Prescott a five-year, $175 million deal. Prescott reportedly wants a four-year deal, according to USA TODAY’s Jori Epstein, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that there have been “no discussions” beyond the two sides negotiating the length of the deal. Per Ian Rapoport, both the team and Prescott’s agent say the report of Prescott wanting $45 million in the final year of his deal is untrue.
In any event, Prescott is in line to make a lot of money – but fans are divided over whether Prescott really deserves such a megadeal. Prescott is relatively young (26) and durable, not having missed a start in four seasons, and passed for a career-high 4,902 yards in 2019. At the same time, the Cowboys went 1-6 against playoff teams during that year, and Prescott has just a 1-2 record in the playoffs.
This game of "the last QB to get paid needs to be paid the most" needs to end.
What happens after Patrick Mahomes signs his $2 billion deal? the next guy will get $2.5 billion cuz he came after him? guess what, whoever that guy is, he isn't half as good as Mahomes.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 21, 2020
NFL reporter Dov Kleiman tweeted that that Prescott was arguably not a top 10 QB in the league in a post that has since been deleted, and “Top 10 QB” began trending on Twitter. Fans sounded off on where Prescott truly ranks among the sport’s elite passers.
For someone that doesn’t have top 10 QB talent he wants too much. I promise Cam Newton will be cheaper and probably better if he’s healthy. On top of Andy Dalton can get you to 500 too… https://t.co/a914Vx88H1
— Aaron (@TheTrackMamba) May 21, 2020
You’re a real casual if you don’t think Dak Prescott is a top 10 QB
— Mo🌊 (@LamarHeisman) May 21, 2020
Tannehill is a top 10 QB?! pic.twitter.com/X9tzXHgifA
— BitchWolf🐺 (@whiskey_bobbi) May 21, 2020
If you believe Dak is a top 10 QB just gone and block me.
— ya big fathead mf. ➐ (@tripaces_) May 21, 2020
This man has won ONE playoff game and hasn’t been able to produce any late season-post season runs. Isn’t even a top 10 QB in the league and doubt he ever will be. https://t.co/P7gOqVXRga
— Owen Shoemaker (@OKShoemaker) May 21, 2020
Many fans responded to Kleiman incredulously, arguing that the inclusion of Ryan Tannehill in his list somehow invalidates his top 10 – but even if you remove Tannehill, it doesn’t really invalidate the point. Whether Prescott is 9th or 10th or 11th matters little when he’s in line to potentially become first in earnings.
These top 10 lists can also change drastically based on the criteria. If you’re ranking the top 10 quarterbacks you’d want to start a Super Bowl game, as some people are, Prescott will likely land in a lower position than if you were to rank the top 10 quarterbacks you’d be willing to offer a major, long-term contract to right now, which is what really matters.
Is Prescott worth such an astounding price tag? We likely won’t know the answer any time soon – but the Cowboys may not be able to afford to find out what happens if they don’t give Dak what he wants. History will not be kind to Jerry Jones if he squanders a potential championship window by settling for Andy Dalton.
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