When the Dallas Cowboys signed Andy Dalton to a one-year contract worth $3 million with a maximum of $7 million with incentives, they not only got a competent backup, but someone who could step in short term should contract negotiations with Dak Prescott go sour. After all, Dalton is a nine-year veteran who has thrown for over 30,000 yards, more then 200 touchdowns with three Pro Bowls under his belt.
Some initial concerns over Prescott’s situation have been eased, as the Cowboys have officially received Prescott’s signature on the franchise tender for $31.4 million. There is still a matter of working out a long-term deal, either before July 15 or after the season has concluded.
Prescott now will among the elite in terms of salary among NFL players. His salary will increase to nearly $38 million next year with the franchise tag in place. Therefore, the Cowboys would be wise to try to ink Prescott to the long-term deal before the July 15 deadline.
For now, it is mandatory that Prescott be at camp, which wouldn’t have been the case had he not signed and waited until perhaps the start of the NFL season. Because of the coronavirus and where the salary cap could be next season, if the Cowboys don’t sign Prescott before the deadline, they may have to dismantle the team as it is currently assembled in order to retain him.
At 27 years of age when the season begins, Prescott is entering the prime of his career. After throwing 23, 22, and 22 touchdowns each of his first three seasons, Prescott broke out to throw for nearly 5000 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. However, the Cowboys finished 8-8, failed to make the playoffs and have won just one of three playoff games since Prescott entered the league.
The consensus at the top of the Cowboys’ organization is that Prescott is their long-term solution to lead them to a Super Bowl title. Let’s see if they get the deal done to prove it.