As the Dallas Cowboys approach their 2024 season opener, contract negotiations with quarterback Dak Prescott are intensifying. With one year left on his current four-year, $160 million deal signed in 2021, the Cowboys and Prescott have been discussing an extension throughout the summer. The financial aspect of the deal is expected to position Prescott near the top of the quarterback market, but the main sticking point has been the contract’s length.
Initial reports suggested disagreement on the term of the extension, but according to Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, both sides are now in agreement on the length of the deal. Recent progress has brought the two parties closer to finalizing the extension than at any previous point this offseason. While owner Jerry Jones has publicly stated that an extension doesn’t need to be in place by Week 1, Prescott reportedly considers the season opener as an important deadline. If a deal is not reached by then, talks may be paused for the remainder of the season.
Prescott’s current deal carries a significant cap hit of over $55 million in 2024, and should the Cowboys fail to reach an agreement, his departure would leave the team with a $40 million cap charge. Although Prescott has expressed a willingness to explore other options, he and Jones have made it clear that their preference is to continue their partnership well into the future.
The Cowboys have recently signed wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a lucrative extension worth $34 million annually, making him the second-highest paid receiver in the NFL. Meanwhile, defensive star Micah Parsons is expected to receive a market-topping contract of his own, making him one of the highest-paid edge rushers in the league. These significant financial commitments could complicate efforts to finalize Prescott’s new deal while staying within the team’s salary cap limits.
Despite Prescott’s strong regular season performances, the Cowboys have struggled to make deep playoff runs during his tenure, a point of frustration for Jerry Jones. Head coach Mike McCarthy is under pressure, and Jones has hinted at efforts to avoid complacency within the organization.
With limited time remaining before the season begins, the Cowboys and Prescott face a critical juncture in their negotiations. Whether the two sides can reach an agreement before Week 1 or if talks will extend into the regular season remains to be seen. Either way, the outcome will have major implications for the team’s long-term direction and Prescott’s future in Dallas.
