The Dallas Cowboys Have Already Decided On Dak Prescott’s Future
The Dallas Cowboys have continued to be hounded by questions concerning Dak Prescott’s future with the franchise. Dallas has remained optimistic about the situation even after Prescott suffered a season-ending broken ankle. That may have already led Dallas down the singular path ahead of next offseason.
Cowboys lose Dak Prescott for the rest of the 2020 season
The Dallas Cowboys’ 2020 season took another seismic shift south after losing star quarterback Dak Prescott for the season due to a broken ankle against the New York Giants.
Prescott had begun the campaign on a historic pace that saw him become the first player to pass for at least 450 yards in three straight games. Through the first four games, he was on pace to record an NFL-record 6,700 passing yards. Prescott was playing at an elite level despite the Cowboys’ historically awful numbers defensively.
The 27-year-old’s injury also put into perspective his pending contract situation with the franchise. There hasn’t been much in the way of the planned approach for next offseason, but the Cowboys may have already made up their mind on how things will unfold.
Cowboys plan to place the franchise tag on Dak Prescott again
With the Dallas Cowboys being unable to discuss extension terms with Dak Prescott until next offseason, the franchise has remained relatively quiet on that front.
However, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports is reporting that Dallas is planning to place the franchise tag on Prescott to begin next offseason.
“Dak Prescott will get the franchise tag again in February. My suspicion is the Cowboys and Dak get a long-term deal done.”
That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise as it provides the team with an extended window of time to discuss an extension. It also leaves the option open for Prescott to play under a roughly $38 million salary for the 2021 season if no new contract is reached.
On top of that, La Canfora had the interesting nugget of information that the Cowboys will likely have to pay Prescott around $40 million a year on any extension. That would put him among the top-paid quarterbacks in the league, where he wants to be among on his next deal.
Much can change over the next several months, but it’s quite clear that the Cowboys have every intention of making Prescott their long-term solution under center.
Cowboys hoping to make a playoff push in 2020
In the wake of Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury, it thrust Andy Dalton into the starting job.
Dalton is in his first campaign with the Dallas Cowboys that has immediately shifted the course of his career yet again. The 32-year-old has an opportunity to reshape the next chapter of his NFL future with how he plays in the rest of the 2020 season.
Dalton has many offensive weapons around him with three star wide receivers in Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup. Meanwhile, Ezekiel Elliott is dependable as they come out of the backfield.
Dalton performed well in relief of Prescott in Week 5 as he completed 9-of-12 passes for 111 yards with a 103.1 passer rating. That included guided the Cowboys into field goal range to secure a much-needed 37-34 win over the New York Giants. The tasks will become more difficult than facing a winless Giants team, but Dalton has the shown throughout his career that he can be a more than capable asset under center.
The Cowboys are ravaged by injuries this season, but the situation is primed for him to lead them to the playoffs.
