Cam Newton says he'd take Dak Prescott over Jalen Hurts, other top-paid quarterbacks

On the 4th and 1 podcast this week, former Panthers star Cam Newton debated where Dak Prescott ranks among the league’s highest-paid QBs as the Cowboys star nears either an extension or free agency. Last season, Newton named Prescott among his group of quarterbacks that he considers “game-managers,” which yielded some lively discussion over what that term really means, but he reiterated this week that he’s actually a big fan.

Comparing Prescott to the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, there were very few quarterbacks the former league MVP said he would take over the Cowboys star. He said he’d take the former fourth-rounder over Kyler Murray, Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert, Kirk Cousins and even his biggest NFC East rival, Jalen Hurts.

“If you have the same stat line as Patrick Mahomes, something is clicking in big games,” Newton said of Prescott. “Looking at the top 10 (highest paid), only one of them has a Super Bowl and there’s a lot of guys on here that don’t have a lot of playoff success.

“I would prefer Dak over Kirk Cousins… Kyler Murray… Jalen Hurts… Justin Herbert… Trevor Lawrence … It’s not what I think Dak is, it’s what the market dictates Dak to be, and he’s better than half the guys on this list.”

"I'm taking Dak Prescott over all of these QBs!"

Do you agree with @CameronNewton's list? pic.twitter.com/NkKJ8L1QYq

— 4thand1show (@4thand1show) July 5, 2024

For most, the main criticism of Dak Prescott and his career so far is the lack of playoff success. Dallas hasn’t broken its NFC title streak yet in his eight-year career. However, when healthy, he’s been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the league. That would be why his stat line looks so similar to Mahomes’. It’s also why the Cowboys will likely end up making him an offer at the top of the market, even without a ring.

Mike Greenberg advises Dak Prescott not to sign extension

According to ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, the Cowboys won’t (or shouldn’t) get a chance to ink Dak Prescott to an extension this offseason. Joining the Pat McAfee Show last month, the Get Up host shared his advice to the former fourth-round draft pick as he weighs his options.

“I would say to you, I don’t think they get a deal done with Dak Prescott at all,” Greenberg told McAfee. “In football, quarterbacks very rarely find themselves in [unrestricted free agency]. Dak Prescott is one season away from doing exactly that. There’s nothing the Cowboys can do to keep him from becoming that.”

“He’ll be able to choose his spot, choose his salary. Half the teams in the league will offer him a trillion dollars. He can choose where he wants to go,” Greenberg continued. “He’ll have an endless variety of options to choose from… he’ll make a killing. If I’m advising Dak Prescott, I wouldn’t even think of signing a contract this offseason. Play out the year and let the world come to my feet. And they will regardless of how he plays this season.”

Considering the lack of movement on a deal thus far, it’s possible that Prescott is already following Greenberg’s advice. The Cowboys star is entering Year 9 with the team that drafted him in 2016. Perhaps he’s looking forward to the plethora of teams that are bound to pursue him next March.