Will the Dallas Cowboys have to apply the franchise tag to bring Dak Prescott back?
Signing quarterback Dak Prescott to a long-term extension remains the Dallas Cowboys’ top priority, team executive vice president Stephen Jones said Tuesday.
Jones said the sense of urgency hasn’t changed even with other top quarterbacks in position to cash in this off-season.
The list starts with Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who is eligible for an extension that could reportedly top the $200-million mark and re-set the market.
“It’s been urgent for us [to sign Prescott],” said Jones, who is in town for the Senior Bowl. “We certainly want to get that done. That’s our No. 1 priority as we go into the off-season is to get his contract … hopefully find some resolution to it and get that done.”
The Cowboys and Prescott almost reached a deal in September that would have paid Prescott roughly $33 million annually, according to sources, but things broke down when the fourth-year signal-caller and the Cowboys got off to a hot start.
Despite a disappointing 8-8 season and missing the playoffs, Prescott still had a career year with 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns.
If the Cowboys can’t reach a long-term contract with Prescott, they’ll use the franchise tag on him. It will cost $32.9 million in 2020.
Jones doesn’t see using the franchise tag on Prescott as a limitation with how the organization may approach free agency.
“No, no,” Jones said. “We can work around that.”
The question, though, is how Prescott would handle being tagged. He could sit out the off-season program, mini-camp or training camp before signing the tag.
That would seem to be detrimental for a team transitioning to a new coaching staff under Mike McCarthy. The Cowboys can start their off-season program on April 6.
Outside of Prescott, Jones said signing receiver Amari Cooper to a long-term deal ranks as the “No. 2” priority this off-season.
Getting long-term commitments for both players is important for an organization that has visions of contending for a championship in 2020 and beyond. Prescott will turn 27 next summer, and Jones remains bullish in his belief that the roster is ready to win now.
Said Jones: “I think we’ve got a good team that’s in its prime.”
This story was originally published January 21, 2020 at 4:08 PM.
