Dallas Cowboys should have already signed Dak Prescott to long-term deal, LT says
LaDainian Tomlinson believes the Dallas Cowboys should have already signed quarterback Dak Prescott to a long-term deal.
Like many outside observers, the Hall of Fame running back and NFL Network analyst remains baffled that the Cowboys and Prescott couldn’t finalize a deal last off-season.
In talking about the Cowboys drafting Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, Tomlinson said: “It’s more firepower for Dak Prescott. But then it’s the issue of when is Dak going to get signed? It’s like, ‘What are we doing here?’
“I grew up a Cowboys fan, I’ve always been a Cowboys fan, but I find myself sometimes going back to when I was a kid — you get so frustrated sometimes with your favorite team.”
For Tomlinson, the Cowboys and Prescott should have found a middle ground a year ago when other franchise quarterbacks drafted in 2016 such as the LA Rams’ Jared Goff and Philadelphia Eagles’ Carson Wentz signed contracts.
Goff signed for an average of $33.5 million, and Wentz is at $32 million a year. But the price tag for franchise QBs continues to go up and the market is poised to be re-set again whenever Kansas City reaches a long-term deal with Patrick Mahomes.
For now, the Cowboys have placed the exclusive franchise tag on Prescott, which is expected to pay him about $33 million for the 2020 season. But the Cowboys and Prescott have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal.
“This should’ve happened a year ago,” Tomlinson said. “The Cowboys should’ve locked Dak in when Carson Wentz and Jared Goff got paid. That deal should’ve been done at that moment. Now the price is going up.
“Dak understands his value, so it makes it hard on the Cowboys now.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addressed Prescott’s contract situation on Saturday night following the draft, saying: “When we’re ready to play, he’ll be there.”
Prescott is coming off the best passing season of his career, throwing for 4,902 yards with 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
