FRISCO, Texas — Whether the ankle injury and multiple surgeries raised questions or the continual debate of what Dak Prescott is worth, the narratives were silenced on Wednesday afternoon in the grand atrium at the Star in Frisco.
The organization held a news conference in recognition of Prescott’s contract extension. The Cowboys confirmed the details of the deal: four years, $160 million, $66 million signing bonus, $75 million due in year one, no trade or tag clause, and a salary cap hit of $22.2 million in year one. The lucrative contract silenced any doubts on No. 4 and garnered an all-encompassing phrase from owner and general manager, Jerry Jones- “This says it all.”
The contract may have taken longer than anticipated but one the Cowboys’ front office made on Monday without hesitation. If anything, the 80-minute lengthy conference on Wednesday addressed the elephant in the room. The endless days of waiting and fans tweeting, “today is a good day to sign Dak Prescott” are over.
Jerry Jones elaborated, “There is no one that enjoys the support of all the right things that you and I want to aspire to than Dak Prescott …the best I’ve got manifests by signing Dak Prescott.”
Not only does Prescott have the arm-talent and elusive mobility to extend drives with his legs, but he possesses an innate strength/poise that commands the huddle and guides his life off-the-field. He has the character attributes that coaches prize and embodies a true leader.
The reason he won the locker room over in 2016 when he was thrust into action following Tony Romo’s injury, and the same reason he was given a lofty deal that re-set the market in some respects.
Jones Sr. reminisced on a conversation with former Cowboy and Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach during Wednesday’s press conference. The two had once chatted about the making of an elite quarterback. Staubach simply stated, “get somebody the players will follow.”
That same quote has been swirling in the owner’s head for five seasons. Since Prescott stepped on the field for the first time and as he set at the podium on Wednesday before signing his four-year contract, he has led. He has been a player the team would go through a brick wall for. The outpour of love following his season-ending compound fracture and dislocation in his ankle and the resounding excitement following his extension, are evidence of the man behind the Star.
The Cowboys secured their franchise guy. The confidence did not solely come from the front office but Prescott as well. The partnership is mutually beneficial. Both were in it for the long haul.
Prescott had been vocal about wanting to stay in Dallas, a part of his childhood favorite team. The visual of the game he fell in love with as a kid- America’s Team. The Mississippi State product bluntly remarked, “There was never a doubt in my mind that I would wear the Star for life … this is my home and I’m not leaving.”
He was never fazed by the swirling narratives out there during the past two grueling offseasons and contract talks but stayed true to himself. Prescott bet on himself and won. From a fourth-round pick to acquiring a signing bonus/guaranteed money in 2021 that are the most in NFL history, his remarkable story continues to inspire.
They say actions speak louder than words and despite continuous stalemates over the last two years, the contract delivers what words cannot.
In the closing words by Jerry Jones himself, “the Cowboys won today.”
Now that their franchise quarterback is locked up, the team can focus on building a team around him to strive for the ultimate goal.
