In the heart of Texas, where everything’s bigger, a quarterback’s decision looms larger than the state itself. Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys‘ signal-caller, finds himself at a crossroads that could make or break his legacy. It’s a tale as old as the Lone Star State itself: stay loyal to the star or seek glory elsewhere?

James Jones, former wide receiver, threw a Hail Mary of an opinion on the “Speak” show today. “Jerry Jones, you paid Zeke before me. Now you’re over here sitting back with all your people that work in the organization talking, ‘Is he the guy?’ No, let him walk,” Jones declared. But he didn’t stop there. Jones suggested Prescott could be chasing more than just wins. “If Dak Prescott played the way he has played in Dallas in Cleveland, we might be talking about Hall of Fame.”

LeSean McCoy, another gridiron veteran, backed up Jones’ play. “If I’m Dak Prescott’s agent, I’m going to say, ‘You know what, Jerry? You know what, McCarthy? Listen, we’re going to have a great season this year, and then we’re going to be on our way,'” McCoy stated. It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for ’em.

Meanwhile, Prescott’s keeping his cards close to the vest. At his youth football camp last Tuesday, he addressed the contract elephant in the room. “There’s been conversations back and forth, but for the most part for me as y’all know, I let my agent do that,” Prescott said. He added, “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”

But let’s not forget what’s at stake here. Prescott’s coming off a season hotter than a Texas summer, throwing for 4,516 yards and leading the league with 36 touchdown passes. He finished second in MVP voting, closer to the trophy than the Cowboys have been to the NFC Championship in nearly three decades.

The pressure of wearing the QB tag for America’s Team!

Being the Cowboys’ quarterback isn’t just any job. It’s like trying to wrangle a bull with your bare hands while the whole world watches. Joy Taylor, sports analyst, hit the nail on the head: “Being the Dallas Cowboys quarterback is different than being the quarterback for any other team… They’re the biggest brand in all of sports.”

This isn’t just hyperbole. The Cowboys’ popularity is as real as Texas barbecue. In 2023, 16 of the 100 most-watched broadcasts featured the Cowboys. They’ve been a model of consistency, avoiding back-to-back losing seasons since 2002. When Dak Prescott showed up in a walking boot on July 4th, it was like someone had sounded the air raid sirens. As Jason McIntyre colorfully put it back then, “The NFL media went to Defcon 1. It was panic time, and everybody freaked out.”

The Cowboys’ star has been shining bright for 59 years, unchanged and iconic. It’s not just a logo; it’s a symbol of an entire state’s pride. As Bob Ryan, former editor-in-chief at NFL Films, put it when he coined the term “America’s Team” back in 1978, “They’re the most popular team in the country. How can I use that? Why don’t we call them America’s Team?”

Cam Newton, former NFL MVP, stirred the pot even further. On his “4th and 1” podcast, he claimed, “If you’ve got the same stat line as Patrick Mahomes, something is clicking in big games.” Newton went on to rank Prescott above several star QBs who recently broke the bank, including Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert.

Newton’s take isn’t just hot air. Over their last 50 starts, Prescott boasts a 33-17 record with 105 touchdowns and 38 interceptions. Mahomes? He’s sitting pretty at 36-14 with 105 scores and 39 picks. It’s closer than a goal-line stand on fourth down, folks.

But Newton didn’t stop there. He went full ‘How ’bout them Cowboys!’ mode, saying he’d take Prescott over a lineup of QB stars that reads like a Pro Bowl roster. “I would prefer Dak Prescott over Kirk Cousins. I prefer Dak over Kyler Murray. I prefer Dak over Jalen Hurts. Justin Herbert? Dak. Trevor Lawrence? I’m taking Dak,” Newton rattled off.

Then there’s the contract dance. Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ owner, has been coy about negotiations. “Who in the world would think that we’re not working on it?” Jones said at his pre-draft press conference. But actions speak louder than words.

As Prescott stares down the barrel of free agency, the clock’s ticking louder than a Friday Night Lights drumline. Will he saddle up for another rodeo with the Cowboys, or ride off into the sunset seeking greener pastures? One thing’s for sure: this ain’t his first rodeo, but it might be his most important.