The Dallas Cowboys have yet to extend Dak Prescott, but one ESPN personality doesn’t think the quarterback deserves a huge extension. Prescott is entering the last year of his current contract, but there has been little to no public progress on a new deal.
And for ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Prescott “doesn’t deserve” it. During the Jully 22 airing of First Take, Smith explained his reasoning behind the take.
“I’m just saying he doesn’t deserve it,” Smith said. “I know we talk about the market, and I get that your value is what the market says it is…He doesn’t deserve it because he doesn’t show up in the postseason.”
Smith’s comments about Prescott’s playoff record are valid. The Cowboys have never reached the NFC Championship with Prescott at the helm and his overall postseason record is 2-5.
But Prescott backers will mention that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. It’s hard for any NFL team to move on from a QB who has gone 73-41 in the regular season and has made the playoffs in 5 campaigns.
But while Smith has his take, the reality is that nothing has materialized for the Dallas quarterback.
‘Quiet’ Atmosphere Surrounding Prescott Extension
The Cowboys’ offseason has centered around extensions for three key players: Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb and LB Micah Parsons. Despite training camp starting, none of those three players have been extended.
And in the latest update from NFL media insider Jane Slater, it doesn’t appear like a deal is coming for Lamb or Prescott anytime soon.
“Still ‘all quiet’ as it relates to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s contracts per a source informed. #Cowboys,” Slater wrote on X on July 24.
According to Spotrac, Prescott will count as a $55.1 million cap hit in 2024 and the site estimates his market value at $53.1 million per season. While Prescott is coming off one of his best statistical seasons, paying any player that kind of money is a massive commitment.
And when considering that Parsons and Lamb need to be paid, the financial puzzle only gets more complicated for the Cowboys.
Cowboys QB Could Earn $70 Million Per Year
In contrast to Spotrac’s estimation, an anonymous source tells CowboysCountry’s Mike Fisher that the number could be much higher. In a July 23 article, Fisher’s source explains that Prescott could become the highest-paid player ever.
“On the way to Dak seeking a ‘highest-paid-player-ever’ offer, one NFL source tells CowboysCountry.com that with ‘patience,’ Prescott’s value will hit $70 million annually,” Fisher wrote.
That is an eye-watering number, but it makes sense considering how contracts have inflated with expanding salary caps in the NFL. And considering how critical QB play is in the NFL, teams have to pay a premium to keep a player of Prescott’s quality around.
Fisher himself finds the report “dubious” and mentions that Prescott has spoken about taking a “team-friendly” contract but the point of the report remains the same: if Prescott holds out and brings on a bidding war for his services, he could very well reach that number.
Like Heavy.com’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy.com
The post ESPN Analyst Blasts Potential New Contract for Cowboys’ Dak Prescott appeared first on Heavy.com.