The Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott have reached a monumental agreement on a four-year, $240 million contract extension just ahead of the team’s regular-season opener against the Cleveland Browns. This new deal, which includes a staggering $231 million in guaranteed money and an $80 million signing bonus, makes Prescott the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history, with an average of $60 million per year.
https://t.co/Yp7ltCwP2M Sources: Dak Prescott, #Cowboys agree to record $240M deal https://t.co/bwwAOkZpUm #NFL #NFLRedZone #FootballFans #SportsUpdate #football #sports pic.twitter.com/C1iwEDbY7Y
— bigdaddy (@bigdaddycasino) September 8, 2024
Prescott’s extension keeps him in Dallas through the 2028 season, securing the three-time Pro Bowler well into his age-35 campaign. This is the second extension the Cowboys have signed with Prescott, the first being a four-year, $160 million contract in 2021. The new deal surpasses recent quarterback extensions, including those of Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, and Jordan Love, who all signed contracts averaging $55 million annually.
The Cowboys’ decision to extend Prescott was a strategic move to avoid their franchise quarterback entering free agency in 2025, where his leverage could have skyrocketed. With a no-trade clause and having already been franchise-tagged twice, Prescott was in a strong negotiating position. A third franchise tag would have cost Dallas upwards of $80 million, making this extension a more financially sound option for the team.
Prescott is coming off a career year, where he led the league with 410 completions and 36 touchdowns, finishing second in MVP voting. His strong performance, a marked improvement from his injury-shortened 2022 season, demonstrated that Prescott is still a quarterback Dallas can confidently build around. The Cowboys have now secured their cornerstone player for the foreseeable future.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the front office faced pressure this offseason, with questions surrounding not just Prescott’s contract but also those of star players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and linebacker Micah Parsons. With Prescott’s deal done and Lamb signed to a near-record contract, the Cowboys can shift their focus to re-signing Parsons, a two-time All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Parsons is under contract through 2025, allowing Dallas some breathing room before they need to extend him as well.
Cowboys, QB Dak Prescott agree to 4-year, $240 million deal: Source https://t.co/hCGV2i2sfQ
— Vince Tuss (@vtuss) September 8, 2024
The extension solidifies the Cowboys’ commitment to Prescott, ensuring that he remains the leader of the team both now and in the future. With their franchise quarterback locked in, the Cowboys are fully “all in” on their pursuit of success in the upcoming 2024 season and beyond.
Key Points:
i. Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys agreed on a four-year, $240 million contract extension, with $231 million guaranteed and an $80 million signing bonus.
ii. Prescott’s new deal makes him the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history, with an average salary of $60 million per year.
iii. The extension secures Prescott in Dallas through the 2028 season, avoiding the risk of him entering free agency in 2025.
iv. Prescott is coming off a career-best season, where he led the league in completions and touchdowns and finished second in MVP voting.
v. With Prescott and CeeDee Lamb secured, the Cowboys can now focus on re-signing linebacker Micah Parsons, another key player for the team’s future.
TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
