“He Tops Jalen”: Cowboys Dak Prescott Doesn’t Sound Convinced on Jalen Hurts Being the Highest Paid QB for the Entire Off Season

The Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles fan bases do not see eye to eye. The NFC East teams form one of the most heated rivalries in the National Football League. However, the intensity of the competition is slightly more relaxed when it comes to the players. Their quarterbacks, Dak Prescott, and Jalen Hurts share a brotherly bond.

Dak even had extremely generous words of praise after Jalen became the highest-paid NFL player in history. However, Prescott thinks that the record is not untouchable. The Eagles treated their franchise quarterback with respect, dignity, and a massive contract over five years. And Dak, who can see a similar extension in the works for himself, set aside the franchise rivalry to congratulate the Philly passer.

Dak Prescott proud of Hurts

The quarterback market economics shifted its equilibrium this week. And it wasn’t the QB everyone thought would land the deal. It was Jalen Hurts, and not Lamar Jackson, who took the payout to another level. Dak Prescott, despite the franchise feud, think Hurts “deserves every bit of it,”

“Congratulations. Proud of him. I hosted Jalen on a visit way back in Mississippi State years ago. And I’m a fan of the guy and the way he plays the game. Not a fan of his team and when they have success necessarily. But a fan of him and the way he approaches it. He was somebody that was counted out early with his play style. He’s had success and just trusted in himself, in the process. Proud of him. He deserves every bit of it,” the Cowboys signal-caller said on ESPN’s ‘The Adam Schefter’ podcast.

Hurts secured a 5-year $255 million extension and became the highest-paid NFL athlete in terms of average annual value ($51 million). His guaranteed amount of nearly $180 million is still short of Deshaun Watson’s $230 million. However, Dak thinks it’s an impressive contract, regardless.

ALSO READ: Jalen Hurts Set to Lose Massive Chunk of $180 Million Guaranteed Money Due to Michael Jordan’s 90s Dominance

When it comes to Lamar Jackson, Dak hopes “he is next.” Prescott even thinks that “he [Lamar] tops Jalen” for the highest-paid athlete spot. However, that might be slightly complicated owing to the fact that LJ is without official agent representation. Jalen, on the other hand, had super agent Nicole Lynn negotiating for him.

Jalen Hurts certainly deserved the extension

Dak Prescott is entering the third year of his 4-year $160 million extension signed in 2021. With Jerry Jones putting his faith in Dak, despite the lack of postseason success, an extension in 2024 seems imminent for the Cowboys QB. Jalen Hurts’ resume made a better case. The 24-year-old took the Birds to a Super Bowl appearance after a 14-3 regular season. The dual-threat quarterback also set the NFL all-time record for rushing touchdowns by a QB, including the postseason (18), this season. Jalen and Co lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in a close-fought 38-35 affair. But the promise was there for the entire world to see.

Prescott and Hurts have only faced each other once in the NFL. Dallas triumphed over Jalen’s Birds 41-21 in the opening month of the 2021 regular season. With both quarterbacks fit to play at the moment, fans can surely expect the Cowboys-Eagles rivalry to heat up over the years. But the love between the quarterbacks will be intact.

WATCH THIS STORY: Simone Biles applauds the first black woman to crack the highest player contract in NFL history