There’s no denying that the Dallas Cowboys are committed to their star quarterback, Dak Prescott. Despite the challenges that come with negotiating contracts in the NFL, team owner Jerry Jones has made it clear that Prescott remains central to the Cowboys’ long-term strategy.
Committed to the Future
Prescott’s performance in the 2023 season has been nothing short of stellar, leading the NFL with a league-high 36 touchdown passes. His impact on the field underscores why the Cowboys are eager to secure his services for the foreseeable future. "We want Dak Prescott. That's that," declared Jerry Jones unequivocally.
Prescott, whose current contract includes a no-franchise tag clause and a no-trade clause, shares a mutual confidence in the ongoing negotiations. "I'm definitely confident. Obviously, it helps the team. It's important for the (salary cap) numbers. I've heard Jerry say that. That is a process. Both sides understand that. Everything is great. It'll happen," Prescott remarked.
The Business of Football
Navigating the financial intricacies of NFL contracts is no easy feat, a fact Jerry Jones is acutely aware of. "To be very candid, this is pro football. It has to do with the allocation of your resources, which happens to be cap space," Jones explained. However, Jones’s approach to the salary cap is as assured as it is pragmatic. "You're asking me if I worry about things going up. Not worry, but I probably have as good of feel as anybody living on this earth what the cap is going to be three years from now, four years from now, five years from now. I really do," he said.
Working Around the Clock
The dedication to securing Prescott’s contract is evidently tireless. Jerry Jones is known to work on negotiations at unconventional times, including the early hours of the morning. "I work on it at two in the morning sometimes. What your actual question is why don't you have something done and negotiated and put in the drawer? We'd like to see some more leaves fall. We'd like to see some more action," he stated, emphasizing the continuous efforts behind the scenes.
Prescott himself appears unperturbed by the ongoing discussions, focusing instead on his responsibilities on the field. "Business is business. I'll leave it where it gets handled. Right now, it's about being my best for this team right now in this moment. OTAs is helping these guys out and just focused on that and I know my business will take care of itself," Prescott remarked. He maintains that his passion for the game supersedes financial considerations. "I don't play for money. Never have cared for it, to be honest with you. Yeah. Would give it up just to play this game," he added.
Negotiation Complexities
The landscape of NFL contracts isn’t just about player performance; it’s also about the delicate balance of financial resources. Recent big-money deals like Trevor Lawrence’s five-year, $275 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Jared Goff’s four-year, $212 million deal with the Detroit Lions put into perspective the substantial sums at play. These contracts serve as benchmarks within which Jones must navigate Prescott's potential extension.
For Jones, the process is as much about using imagination and risk-taking as it is about sound financial planning. "I've had a lot of mistakes in these years. But the same guys making this decision that has the Cowboys and really got there by the skin of my teeth. It was a miracle that I was able to pull it off. A miracle. But the same imagination, the same risk-taking, the same taking risks but being pragmatic, being inconsistent, sometimes looking like you're a Mississippi riverboat gambler and sometime looking like you're trying to guard the national ball. Those inconsistencies are how we got here," he mused.
Confident in the Outcome
Despite the inherent complexities and the high stakes, both Prescott and Jones share an optimistic outlook on the contract negotiations. "Who in the world would think that we're not working on it?" Jones questioned rhetorically, reinforcing the active efforts behind closed doors.
Ultimately, Prescott’s confidence reflects a deep trust in the process. "I do not think that this will be his last year with the Cowboys, at all," Jones echoed, providing reassurance to fans and stakeholders alike.
As the negotiations progress, the Cowboys’ commitment to their quarterback and the meticulous planning around cap space will be critical in keeping Prescott in Dallas. The next steps will undoubtedly be closely watched, but for now, both sides seem poised for a favorable outcome.