Can they just get this done already? If you’re like me, you’re tired of hearing about Dak Prescott’s contract situation with the Dallas Cowboys. Prescott has been a bargain so far in his career. It is time for the Cowboys to pay their franchise quarterback. In one of the latest rumors, though, Prescott reportedly wants something north of $45 million in the fifth year of his new contract. That would be a lot more than Tony Romo ever made as QB of the Cowboys.

Dak Prescott has been a great bargain for the Dallas Cowboys

Being a fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft, Dak Prescott has played much better than a fourth-round talent. In his first season in 2016, Prescott won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He went 13-3 and threw for 3,667 yards, 23 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season too.

Since 2018, though, Prescott has been one of the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL. He earned his second Pro Bowl selection in 2018 by throwing for 3,885 yards, 22 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Prescott then had a fantastic year in 2019 as he threw for 4,902 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

While being one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, Prescott has not earned much money compared to other good QBs. Prescott has made just over an estimated $4.9 million in his career so far, according to Spotrac. The Cowboys, however, placed the franchise tag on Prescott in March, but both sides would like to get a long-term deal done soon.

Wanting $45 million in one season

According to Sports Illustrated, the Dallas Cowboys have offered Prescott a five-year deal worth $175 million. The deal is at $35 million a year and there is more than $106 million guaranteed. However, Prescott wants a four-year deal, according to Sports Illustrated.

Chris Simms then told 105.3 the Fan’s K&C Masterpiece this week that he has heard Prescott wants something north of $45 million in that fifth year if he were to sign a five-year deal, according to SI. This could go one of two ways, Sports Illustrated reported. Prescott could want to get the $175 million over five years, and just get paid $25 million in the first year of the contract and $45 million in the fifth year, while getting paid $35 million the the second, third, and fourth years. Or, he could want $185 million overall and would get $35 million in his first four years while getting $45 million in his fifth year.

If Prescott ultimately gets $45 million in one season, though, that would be nearly $20 million more than what Tony Romo ever made in a season.

Prescott could earn a lot more than Tony Romo ever did

So, if Prescott gets $45 million in that fifth season, that would be a lot more money than Tony Romo ever earned in one season.

Romo earned over an estimated $127.4 million in his career, according to Spotrac. The season he earned the most money in his entire career was in 2013. During that season, Romo earned an estimated $26.5 million. Prescott will almost definitely make about $10 million more than that each season under his new contract. However, he could ultimately make about $20 million more than that in the fifth year of his contract if he gets the deal that he is reportedly asking for.

Dak Prescott has been really good so far in his career. He has not quite lived up to Tony Romo’s legacy yet, but he will certainly surpass him monetarily pretty quickly. Whether or not he gets a $175 million or a $185 million contract with the Cowboys, it will be more than what Romo made in his entire career.

Once the contract gets done, though, Prescott must focus on surpassing Romo in postseason success. That shouldn’t be too hard to do either.

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference