“Oh, yes. Yes, yes.” Jerry Jones recently said this to the reporters when he was asked if Dak Prescott could show up as one of the best NFL quarterbacks this year, despite his contract’s non-extension. However, he soon realized what the end part of the question was, and thus, to avoid any further controversy, he clarified that his statement wasn’t meant to suggest the Dallas Cowboys wouldn’t negotiate a deal. If “that can happen,” as per Jones, the question is when?

No one has an answer to that. Many believe that the franchise seems to be forcing Prescott into free agency. In a recent episode of Speak, hosts Emmanuel Acho, LeSean McCoy, Joy Taylor, and James Jones discussed the quarterback and the America’s Team’s situation. Acho laid out his reasoning on why he believes Jerry Jones might be nudging Dak Prescott toward free agency.

He suggested that if he were in Jones’s position, he’d offer Prescott a contract, but not a groundbreaking deal. Instead, he’d suggest something like, “Dak if you want to stay for $53 million, take 53. I’m not giving you 60 but if you want to stay for 53, I’ll give you 53 and Dak if you want to go get 60 elsewhere.” Thus, according to the analyst, the lack of resolution toward Prescott’s contract indicates a possible free agency.

Additionally, Acho also argued that the Cowboys should take a page from Kyle Shanahan’s playbook. He believes that just like Shanahan developed Brock Purdy into a successful quarterback, the Cowboys could draft and nurture a new quarterback with the right support and coaching. The former NFL linebacker suggested to the Cowboys that if they adopt Shanahan’s model, “you can find the situation where (you) need a bridge.”

Dak Prescott will be entering this season with his final year deal at $40 million average per year. However, the problem is he “carries a much larger cap hit in 2024 (roughly $55 million) due to previous restructures.” Now, as the market is high for NFL players, he reportedly wants somewhat around $60 million. And that’s why both the parties haven’t reached any conclusion yet.

However, it’s important to note that earlier the team has said that they want their quarterback for a long-term. Even Prescott has expressed his wish to be with the team. But if they both want this to happen, they should do it at the earliest.

NFL analyst sets the deadline for Dak Prescott’s contract extension

The negotiations between the Cowboys and Dak Prescott have continued to drag on for over a month now. So, now the pressure is mounting as the 2024 NFL season approaches soon. And guess what? Prescott’s strong performance last year, where he led the league in touchdown passes (36), only adds to the urgency. With his current deal set to expire at the end of the season, the clock is ticking for a new agreement.

Furthermore, recent contracts for quarterbacks like Jordan Love ($220 million for 4 years) and Tua Tagovailoa ($53.1 million annually) have put more pressure on Prescott to secure a lucrative deal. But when will all these dramas come to an end? According to analyst Tony Catalina, the deadline is for this month. If Prescott doesn’t sign a new contract before the Cowboys’ preseason games in August, he might be heading elsewhere in 2025.

Prescott is aiming to be the first NFL player to earn $60 million per year, but the Cowboys have other big contracts to consider, including extensions for star receiver CeeDee Lamb and pass rusher Micah Parsons. With so much financial juggling, Prescott might find himself as the odd man out, potentially ending his career with a different team. The days are counting fast!