Cowboys Made $40M Mistake NOT Extending Dak Prescott Say NFL Execs!

Well, butter my biscuits because we are hearing that NFL execs agree the Dallas Cowboys made $40M mistake NOT extending QB Dak Prescott.

See, the Cowboys have been in a staredown with quarterback Dak Prescott who was one of the dominant storylines of this unusual NFL offseason.

Over the past six months, the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott have been entangled in a mega-deal that fell apart for an unusual reason, say sources. Read on…

Conversations with general managers, agents and team contract negotiators revealed a consensus about both the magnitude of the Cowboys’ mistake with this negotiation is what CelebnSports247.com heard.

What it Would Cost for Dak Prescott:

Several sources independently suggested it will cost owner Jerry Jones roughly $40M — and general agreement about how it will impact the team in years to come.

The sides did come relatively close to completing a long-term deal by the July deadline by which to extend the contract of a player on a franchise tag, but Prescott ultimately opted to play out 2020 on that tag in a move that is being heralded throughout the industry as one that will reap tremendous financial benefits for him in 2021 and beyond.

The Cowboys Mistake:

The Cowboys were insistent on a five-year salary structure for the quarterback, who had his most productive season in 2019, is surrounded by a strong supporting cast and is drawing some preseason hype as a potential MVP candidate this season. Jones has long sought to secure his top players to the longest term possible, and while Prescott’s representation was intent on four years for much of the offseason, things changed near the July deadline, according to the sources.

At that time Prescott would have accepted a five-year deal, worth about $35M a year, but only if it included a provision that he could not be franchise tagged at the conclusion of the deal. Jones would not agree to that language, sources said, and the deal fell through. – CBSSports

One prominent agent who has negotiated top quarterback contracts but is not involved in Prescott’s deal said:

No matter how you slice it, Jerry made a $40 million mistake…Just do the math. It’s pretty simple. Prescott has them over a barrel.

One GM offered:

Based off everything I know of that situation, the Cowboys did themselves no favors. Even when the cap goes up (expected perhaps by 2022 depending on COVID-19), $8 million a year is a big deal. That’s like costing yourself a couple of starters or top backups at less-expensive positions. If you think you’re competing for a Super Bowl, that’s a big deal.

Another longtime NFL team exec said:

This one seemed to get personal. It should have been done before Watson and (Lamar) Jackson, whether it’s four years or five years. And what happens if Prescott goes out and throws 40 TDs? The Cowboys were too stubborn for their own good.

A salary negotiator said: