Dak Prescott's Future with the Dallas Cowboys: A Closer Look
Dak Prescott's Future with the Dallas Cowboys: A Closer Look
As the NFL offseason heats up, all eyes are on the Dallas Cowboys and their star quarterback, Dak Prescott. The Cowboys' organization, led by owner Jerry Jones, is making it abundantly clear that Prescott is a central figure in their plans.
"We want Dak Prescott. That's that," Jerry Jones emphatically stated. His words leave little room for ambiguity regarding Prescott's future with the team. Jones went on to dismiss any notion that this might be Prescott's last year with the Cowboys. "I do not think that this will be his last year with the Cowboys, at all," he asserted.
A Stellar Season
Prescott's performance on the field has been nothing short of spectacular. Leading the NFL with 36 touchdown passes in the 2023 season, Prescott has proven himself to be a top-tier quarterback. His consistent play and leadership have been pivotal for the Cowboys, keeping them competitive in a challenging league.
Business Over Passion
While Prescott's on-field prowess is undeniable, the complexities of NFL business are unavoidable. Prescott, who is under a contract that includes both a no-franchise tag clause and a no-trade clause, remains focused but unfazed by the financial aspects of the game.
"Business is business. I'll leave it where it gets handled. Right now, it's about being my best for this team right now in this moment. OTAs is helping these guys out and just focused on that and I know my business will take care of itself," Prescott explained.
He also emphasized his intrinsic love for the game, separate from financial considerations. "I don't play for money. Never have cared for it, to be honest with you. Yeah. Would give it up just to play this game. So, I allow that to the business people to say what it's worth what they're supposed to give a quarterback of my play. A person of my play, leader of my play. For me, it's about as I said, control what I can control and handle that part and the rest will take care of itself."
Complex Negotiations
Jerry Jones is certainly no stranger to the complexities of NFL negotiations, particularly regarding salary cap allocation. "To be very candid, this is pro football. It has to do with the allocation of your resources, which happens to be cap space," Jones remarked.
Despite the challenges, Jones remains confident in his capability to navigate the financial landscape. "You're asking me if I worry about things going up. Not worry, but I probably have as good of feel as anybody living on this earth what the cap is going to be three years from now, four years from now, five years from now. I really do."
Jones's commitment to getting a deal done sometimes even spills into the early hours of the morning. "I work on it at two in the morning sometimes. What your actual question is why don't you have something done and negotiated and put in the drawer? We'd like to see some more leaves fall. We'd like to see some more action."
Faith in the Process
Despite the complicated nature of contract negotiations, Dak Prescott remains optimistic. "I'm definitely confident. Obviously, it helps the team. It's important for the (salary cap) numbers. I've heard Jerry say that. That is a process. Both sides understand that. Everything is great. It'll happen."
The Cowboys aren't the only team facing hefty financial commitments. Trevor Lawrence and Jared Goff have recently signed lucrative contracts with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions respectively. However, Jerry Jones has a proven track record of handling such negotiations, even if it sometimes appears inconsistent.
"I've had a lot of mistakes in these years. But the same guys making this decision that has the Cowboys and really got there by the skin of my teeth. It was a miracle that I was able to pull it off. A miracle. But the same imagination, the same risk-taking, the same taking risks but being pragmatic, being inconsistent, sometimes looking like you're a Mississippi riverboat gambler and sometime looking like you're trying to guard the national ball. Those inconsistencies are how we got here," Jones reflected.
Conclusion
The road ahead for Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys is sure to be challenging, but with the mutual respect and determination from both Prescott and the Cowboys' front office, there's a strong belief that a favorable outcome is on the horizon. For now, Prescott remains focused on the present, striving to be the best for his team while trusting in the process that has been set in motion.
