Bleacher Report and other sources claim that Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys are not in a rush to sign a new contract. This isn’t shocking at all because many believe the squad is prepared to take a different approach even after finishing the regular season with a 12-5 record in 2023.
The Cowboys were already above the salary cap in 2023, so it doesn’t help that even with the recent news regarding the salary cap, extending Prescott would be exceedingly costly and challenging to implement given the number of other older players the Cowboys already have on their roster.
The likelihood that Dak Prescott will play for a different team next season seems to be growing every day, especially with the news that he and the Cowboys are not hurrying to reach an agreement. Where would he wind up, though? These are five potential outcomes.
1. Chicago Bears
Right now, the Chicago Bears are a very powerful and influential team in the market. They have Justin Fields, a quarterback, who is a good option as a backup or a starting quarterback until another quarterback can be brought in. In addition, Fields is still on a rookie contract, which is tens of millions of dollars less than the $45–60 million that Dak Prescott will demand next season. They also own the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.
The Cowboys and Bears would both benefit greatly from this transaction. The Cowboys save a tonne of money in addition to obtaining the first pick in the NFL Draft—likely Caleb Williams—and a reliable backup in case Williams turns out to be a disappointment. With very little risk, the Bears would acquire a franchise quarterback that they can afford.
2. Washington Commanders
There is a tonne of remaining cap space for the Commanders. The team would have no trouble affording Dak Prescott. The problem is that the Commanders lack the Bears’ player worth and trade value, but they do have the second overall pick, which may be a decent bargain if the Cowboys decide to go with a quarterback other than Caleb Williams. However, a trade for a number of future draft picks and a range of competent players—particularly on the line of scrimmage—might work out well if the Cowboys want to move away of Dak Prescott.
3. New England Patriots
Under new coach Jerod Mayo, the New England Patriots are taking a different approach. The Patriots might be prepared to pay a little bit more than the fair market value for a franchise quarterback in the absence of a reliable starter.
The Cowboys could benefit from the addition of numerous players from New England, including as Trent Brown, Christian Barmore, and Demario Douglas. With just seven selections in the draft this year, the Patriots value each pick highly. In exchange for Dak Prescott, would they be prepared to part with some players and the third overall pick? Perhaps, but the Cowboys might also make high demands.
Las Vegas Raiders
The 13th overall pick in the first round is not a fantastic one for the Las Vegas Raiders. The Dallas Cowboys won’t gain much from this, but since there are 12 picks total, it’s feasible that they would be open to selecting three or four picks in addition to a few players. The Raiders don’t have a quarterback that the Cowboys would be interested in, which is another problem. The Cowboys’ best chance to select a quarterback is with the 13th pick, so they probably won’t get their desired pick, and Aidan O’Connell isn’t going to do it either.
Dallas Cowboys May Keep Dak Prescott
Naturally, there’s a chance Dak Prescott sticks with the Cowboys. The Cowboys still have a lot of power, and there’s still a good chance Dak Prescott stays in Dallas if they can work out a mutually agreeable deal.
Recall that last season, the Cowboys finished 12-5. This would be more than enough to convince any other team in the league to contemplate moving a starting quarterback with over 4,500 yards of passing experience. However, this choice is highly intriguing because the Cowboys are unlike any other team.
In summary
Whatever happens to Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys have a fantastic chance to position themselves for success in the future. The key question going forward with the salary ceiling rises is how the Cowboys manage Prescott as an asset and if keeping him is the wisest course of action.
