FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys 2020 season has officially come to a close and of course, a Déjà vu moment to last year’s offseason, Dak Prescott contract negotiations can begin.
The front office and coaching staff have reiterated many times over the last two years that Prescott is the future of the franchise and on Monday, the priority remains the same; signing him to a long-term deal. Executive Vice President and Cowboys’ Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Jones emphatically stated on local radio station 105.3 The Fan, “Dak being at the top of the list,” regarding offseason contract negotiation goals.
The Cowboys did not reach a long-term agreement with Prescott before the July 15th franchise tag deadline and negotiations ceased during the 2020 season. Both sides hit a stalemate on the number of years, four vs. five, and not on a dollar amount according to multiple sources. The club’s franchise quarterback then suffered a season-ending compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle in week five that required immediate surgery. All chatter coming from the staff indicates that Prescott is ahead of schedule in his recovery process and is on track to begin the spring offseason program.
“Definitely looking forward to working with Dak fulltime,” Mike McCarthy stressed to reporters. “He’s here every day going through rehab. He’s making progress and just as you’d expect, he’s going after it full speed. So as far as the timeline, I don’t have the specifics on when he’s going to be doing on the field work and dates and things like that. I don’t have that for you. But I do know based on the plan for his surgery and what he’s supposed to be doing and where he is, I mean, everything is right on course.”
Andy Dalton was a serviceable backup for Prescott following his injury but there is no debate as to who will command the huddle when No.4 is fully healthy and returns to the gridiron. If there is anything this year has clearly defined, it is that Prescott is the heart and soul of the Cowboys; the glue that holds the squad together.
Certainly, the salary cap complicates matters. Due to the pandemic, the league sustained revenue losses with a decreased number of fans in stadiums. The lower attendance will likely lead to a smaller salary cap number than the previous year.
Jones elaborated, “One of the things we’re going to have to see where we are, and it will affect everybody. It will affect all 32. It will affect our team. It’s just what the consequences of the virus has had on our cap situation going forward and where is that salary cap going to be. What kind of cap are we going to manage into? So, all of those things will play a role in terms of players that we keep that are under contract, what potentially we can sign. Obviously Dak being at the top of that list. And then going from there.”
A lot of unknows still to be answered. If a new long-term deal is not reached by March, the end of this year’s franchise tag window, then the Cowboys may have to repat last season’s events: placing the tag on Prescott to extend the negotiating period into July. He seems to be on the top of the to-do list, but the question still stands- then when?
