How Much Money Could Dak Prescott’s Injury Cost Him?
ByJoey Heldon October 15, 2020inArticles›Sports News
During the Dallas Cowboys Week 5 win over the New York Giants, Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a horrific injury. Prescott’s compound fracture and dislocation of his right angle will end his season. Prior to the injury, Prescott had been putting up MVP-caliber numbers.
Prescott has gone through a lot since playing at Mississippi State and joining the Cowboys. His mom died from cancer while he was in college. His brother died by suicide earlier this year. And last month, Prescott received some criticism — though thankfully, a lot of support, as well — when he admitted he experienced depression and anxiety.
Knowing all of that, it was especially tough to see Prescott being carted off the field, crying through multiple forms of pain. His timeline for recovery is four to six months.
There’s also the matter of Prescott’s contract. He doesn’t have one after this season, which opens up a lot of questions.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
The Cowboys and Prescott tried to come to a deal this past offseason, but couldn’t agree on the terms. Dallas offered around $110 million guaranteed, with a $50 signing bonus, over five years. Prescott only wanted four years — likely so he could sign another big contract after this one — and the deal never happened.
Instead, Dallas slapped the franchise tag on Prescott, so he’ll make $31.4 million this year. They also restructured contracts of Cowboys teammates Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and DeMarcus Lawrence , to create about $27 million in cap room that will carry into next year.
The Cowboys have said Prescott is their future and his injury doesn’t change things. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic likely decreasing the 2021 salary cap, the Cowboys may very well place the franchise tag on Prescott once more. In that scenario, he’d make $37.7 million in 2021, but still wouldn’t have a long-term deal.
A second franchise tag instead of a long-term contract means Prescott would miss out on about $73.3 million in guaranteed money. And he’d be coming back next year as a 28-year-old quarterback playing on a one-year “prove it” deal.
We’ve seen athletes bet on themselves before and win. Prescott might have to do a similar thing to score a huge pay day. He has a long road to recovery, but as one of the toughest players in the sport, it would be foolish to count him out.
- Inside Dak Prescott’s Record-Breaking Contract
- Why Getting The Franchise Tag Is The Best Thing For Dak Prescott
- Dak Prescott Will Make More Than $30 Million Next Year – But Will He Be Happy?
- Here’s How Much Dak Prescott Will Make – After Taxes – With His New Contract
- Dak Prescott Just Turned Down $30 Million From The Dallas Cowboys – Is That Crazy Or A Smart Move?
- Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Pledges $1M Towards “Police Training”
Dak Prescott Will Make More Than $30 Million Next Year – But Will He Be Happy?
ByJoey Heldon July 2, 2020inArticles›Sports News
It seems like ever since Dak Prescott replaced an injured Tony Romo , he’s had to deal with questions about his future. At first, it was whether he’d hold onto his starting job. Then, it was whether he could return the Dallas Cowboys to postseason greatness. And lately, it’s been whether he’ll get the contract he wants from the team.
We have an answer to that last one: No, at least not yet.
The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Prescott, which will give the quarterback $31.4 million next year. The two sides do have until July 15 to agree on a long-term deal, but it’s looking likely that Prescott will be playing under the franchise tag this year.
In most situations, receiving more than $30 million to play one season of football would be a dream come true. But Prescott was looking for a long-term contract worth about $40 million per season.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Prescott and the Cowboys never really seemed close to coming to terms, and that could be an underlying issue. It may just be that paying Prescott that much money for several seasons could hurt the team financially. Or could it be something bigger?
Quarterbacks have been dominating the market over the past few years as more teams realize the importance of the position. However, even with the rising price of franchise quarterbacks, the most expensive player next season will be Russell Wilson , at $35 million. Prescott wanted more than that, and he doesn’t have the career pedigree of some of the other highest-paid quarterbacks, including Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers .
Instead of taking over that top spot, Prescott now finds himself the seventh-highest-paid quarterback in the league. That’s still nothing to scoff at, but it presents the possibility that the Cowboys don’t view Prescott in that same tier. The team gave extensions to running back Ezekiel Elliott and wide receiver Amari Cooper ; they could have done the same with Prescott, yet didn’t.
The COVID-19 pandemic adds another wrinkle to any contract negotiations. Professional sports teams are likely to lose a lot of money this year, and probably for several years to come. Maybe the Cowboys looked at the landscape and thought they’d say some money this year.
Whatever the case may be, it looks like Prescott is going to have to prove himself once again this year. If he can put up solid numbers and lead the Cowboys deep into the playoffs, he’ll probably get the exact number he wants.
For now, he’ll have to be content playing under the franchise tag. It’s an expensive one-year tryout that could pay tremendous dividends.
- Why Getting The Franchise Tag Is The Best Thing For Dak Prescott
- Dak Prescott Just Turned Down $30 Million From The Dallas Cowboys – Is That Crazy Or A Smart Move?
- Dak Prescott Won’t Give The Cowboys A Hometown Discount, And It’s Thanks To Gisele Bundchen
- Dak Prescott Net Worth
- Here’s How Much Dak Prescott Will Make – After Taxes – With His New Contract
- Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Pledges $1M Towards “Police Training”
