It doesn’t sound like a resolution to the Dak Prescott contract war is coming any time soon.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday that both Prescott and the Cowboys — who have been negotiating since last offseason — are digging their heels in and are prepared to wait until the July 15 deadline to agree on a long-term deal.
“I continue to hear, from sources, that Prescott and the Cowboys are both ready to drag this out to the July 15 franchise-tag deadline if that’s the way it’s going to be,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “And that’s the pace right now. It’s been slow over the last month, and they still have a gap in money and number of years on the contract. So Prescott’s willing to be patient as well.”
Since entering the league, the 2016 fourth-round pick has accrued 15,778 yards, 97 touchdowns and 36 interceptions with a 65.8 completion percentage. Prescott, 26, is due for a massive pay increase after earning a paltry salary under his rookie deal. He is set to earn $31.5 million this year under the exclusive franchise tender, which the Cowboys applied in March.
The Cowboys also signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton and locked down Amari Cooper to a long-term deal this offseason, but curiously seem no closer to a deal with Prescott since the outset of their negotiations.
It was reported earlier that the two-time Pro Bowler rejected an offer for $175 million over five years with $106 million guaranteed because he wanted “north of $45 million.” That report has since been shot down by both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, who both maintain that Prescott has been steadfast that the hangup is the length of the contract, not money.
“Dak wants a four-year deal from Cowboys,” USA Today’s Jori Epstein wrote. “He’s not entertaining offers of more than four years. Guarantees, structure of contract are important beyond potential max value.”
If the July 15 deadline passes without a long-term agreement, Prescott would play under the franchise tag and the two parties would presumably try again next year when the already outrageous quarterback market would be more expensive. The Cowboys would also have the pricey option to franchise tag him for a second time.