Dak Prescott to be top-paid Dallas Cowboy ever, but deal is not Jerry Jones’ top issue
And sources confirm it will be $31.409 million, which would mark the largest one-year payout to a player in Cowboys’ history, officially surpassing the $31.1 million that defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence received last season.
As part of his five-year, $105.5 million contract extension, Lawrence got a $25 million signing bonus, a $4.6 million option bonus and a $1.5 million base salary in 2019.
Prescott’s franchise number had initially been reported to be as high as $32 million before being reduced to as low as $26.8 million because of contract restructures.
Of course, Prescott has yet to sign the franchise tag and is currently boycotting the virtual offseason program in hopes of landing a long-term contract extension.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Prescott has had conversations with the coaching staff but refused to discuss his lack of participation in the offseason program.
“I understand why you’re asking the question,” McCarthy said during a pre-draft conference call Tuesday. “But we don’t do roll call publicly. But Dak, he’s been a part of it as far as the communication with the coaches.”
Owner Jerry Jones said he did not know when or if Prescott would sign the franchise and it’s not at the top of his list of concerns with the 2020 NFL draft coming up on Thursday.
“So I don’t have a time frame, but I’m not concerned about that at all,” he said. “As to any of those issues ... again, no surprises here. No surprises on the amount that the franchise counts against the cap. No surprise that we’re sitting here ... without a long-term agreement.”
Vice president Stephen Jones offered the final word on Prescott. “He’s our starting quarterback. Obviously he’s franchised and our bigger goal is to get him signed long term, and we think we can do that.”
Prescott and the Cowboys have until July 15 to agree on a new deal or he will have to play in 2020 on the franchise tag.
Either way, Prescott stands to make more money in 2020 than any Cowboys player ever.
The Cowboys have already offered an extension worth at least $35 million annually and he has turned it down as the two sides continue to differ on contract length and structure. Prescott would rather sign a four-year deal, but the team would prefer a five- or six-year contract.
This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 11:44 AM.
