Quarterback Dak Prescott (#4) of the Dallas Cowboys passes in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, December 10, 2023. /CFP
Quarterback (QB) Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys is in the final year of his four-year, $160 million contract with the team, but he seems in no hurry for an extension.
"I don't play for money. Never have, never cared for it, to be honest with you, yeah," Prescott said after Wednesday's organized team activities. "Would give it up just to play this game. So, I allow that to the business people to say what it's worth, what they're supposed to give a quarterback of my play, a person of my play, a leader of my play. For me, it's about, as I said, control what I can control and handle that part and the rest will take care of itself."
When Prescott agreed to his current deal in 2021, the Cowboys agreed to give him the no-trade and no-tag rights. As a result, he can become an unrestricted free agent if he doesn't ink an extension before March 2025.
Having played all 17 regular season games last campaign, Prescott completed 410 of his 590 passes for 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns, both career- and league-highs, with nine interceptions. He also posted 242 rushing yards and two touchdowns with 55 carries. Prescott was also selected for the Pro Bowl and the Second-team All-Pro.
Quarterback Dak Prescott (#4) of the Dallas Cowboys passes in the game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, December 30, 2023. /CFP
The Cowboys finished the regular season with a 12-5 record, the National Football Conference (NFC) East champions and second place in the NFC. They lost to the Green Bay Packers 48-32 in the NFC Wild Card Game. Prescott threw 41-of-60 for 403 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions in that game.
As a reference for how much good QBs are worth these days, Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, Baker Mayfield re-signed a three-year, $100 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jared Goff agreed to a four-year, $212 million extension with the Detroit Pistons.
Prescott was drafted in 135th place by the Cowboys in 2016, the same year Goff was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the first pick.
"I think it depends on personal relationships and position and how much that pay can affect others, understanding where I am, what my pay means to a team and to an organization," Prescott said when asked how much a matter of respect a contract is. "I don't really take things personal. Maybe in my first deal, maybe things were a little different than they are now. One, it's my age and who I am, where I am in my life, and I guess the fact that that first deal got done. The understanding that I have a lot of decision in this, too. I have a lot of say-so, too."