Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is approaching the final year of his four-year, $160 million contract with the team, and reports suggest that the Cowboys are content to let him play out the 2024 NFL season without a new deal.
In some of his first public remarks following these reports, Prescott seemed to be at peace with his current situation. He emphasized that he is not fixated on becoming the highest-paid quarterback in the league but rather on the present moment.
“I’m not worried about whether I’ll stay here or not. I’m not worried about either scenario, to be honest,” Prescott stated on Friday, as reported by The Athletic. “I have a passion for this game, for playing, and for improving myself as a player and lifting up my teammates. Right now, I’m with the Dallas Cowboys, where I want to be, and that’s my focus. We’ll see what the future holds after this season, and we’ll take it from there.”
Prescott also indicated that there is currently little momentum towards reaching a new contract agreement, suggesting that serious discussions about an extension have yet to commence.
“I’m concentrating on the present moment. If talks do begin, and if we can have meaningful discussions, then we can address that,” Prescott explained.
Heading into the 2024 season at age 31, Prescott is fresh off what could be considered the best season of his eight-year career, with impressive statistics including 4,516 passing yards, 242 rushing yards, a league-leading 36 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 105.9 passer rating, while completing 69.5% of his passes.
However, despite Prescott’s individual success, the Cowboys’ season ended disappointingly with a playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. Under Prescott’s leadership, the team has struggled in the postseason, with a 2-5 record and no appearances in the NFC Championship Game since 1995.
Recent quarterback contracts, such as those of Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Kirk Cousins, have set high benchmarks for future negotiations. Additionally, the Cowboys face other significant contract decisions, including potential extensions for standout linebacker Micah Parsons and impending free agent wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had a stellar 2023 season.