The Looming Shadow of Dak Prescott’s Contract Over the Dallas Cowboys' 2024-25 Season

As the 2024-25 NFL season approaches, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a familiar yet precarious situation: facing the reality that quarterback Dak Prescott and the organization are unlikely to reach a contract extension before the season kicks off. This unresolved issue casts a significant shadow over what should be a season filled with hope and high expectations.

The question isn’t whether Prescott deserves an extension—his performance speaks for itself—but rather whether Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is willing to pay the price. Prescott, who led the NFL last season with 36 touchdown passes and a 70% completion rate, has certainly proven his worth on the field. Yet, as the days tick down to the season opener, Prescott’s contract remains a glaring omission on the Cowboys’ to-do list.

Jones’ recent comments suggest a growing divide between player and management, with both sides engaging in a subtle yet telling war of words through the media. When asked about the state of negotiations after signing star receiver CeeDee Lamb to a lucrative extension, Jones was blunt, indicating that Prescott’s future with the team might be less about his abilities and more about the Cowboys’ broader situation.

"You could easily say, if you hadn't seen it by now, you haven't seen it," Jones remarked, hinting that Prescott has already proven who he is as a quarterback. His words imply that the Cowboys are weighing their options, considering factors beyond Prescott's merits, such as the potential risks of injury or a dip in performance.

Jones’ stance raises an uncomfortable question: Is Prescott still the future of the Dallas Cowboys, or is the franchise hedging its bets?

Prescott’s response was equally telling. Dismissing Jones' remarks as "noise," the veteran quarterback made it clear that he no longer pays attention to the owner’s media musings. "I stopped, honestly, listening to things [Jones] says to the media a long time ago," Prescott said. It’s a subtle but pointed acknowledgment that actions—specifically, signing that contract extension—speak louder than words.

Prescott holds considerable leverage in this situation. With one year remaining on his four-year, $160 million contract, Prescott is set to earn $29 million this season, with the added protection of clauses that prevent the Cowboys from placing a franchise tag on him or trading him. If Jones and the Cowboys don’t act soon, Prescott could become an unrestricted free agent after the season, entering the market at 31 years old—still in his prime and likely commanding an even higher price.

The current impasse feels like a game of chicken, with both sides waiting to see who will blink first. But the stakes are high. If Prescott falters or the Cowboys underperform, the narrative will shift quickly, with questions arising about whether the franchise should move on from its longtime quarterback. Conversely, if Prescott excels and leads the Cowboys deep into the playoffs, the criticism will fall squarely on Jones for not locking him in sooner, before the market further escalates.

In the end, this situation reflects the broader uncertainties surrounding the Cowboys. For a team that has long been defined by its larger-than-life persona, the question remains: Will the Cowboys continue to build around Prescott, or will they roll the dice on the unknown? As the season unfolds, this contract saga will undoubtedly be a subplot that fans and pundits alike will watch closely—potentially overshadowing the team’s on-field performance.

One thing is certain: The clock is ticking, and every game Prescott plays without a new deal only intensifies the drama in Dallas.