Dak Prescott on his contract extension: 'It'll happen'

The Dallas Cowboys have a laundry list of offseason priorities. Signing quarterback Dak Prescott to a contract extension is thought to be one of them. Prescott is fresh off a season where he finished second in MVP voting but still fell short in the playoffs with a Wild Card round exit.

Prescott admitted talks between him and Dallas are going to take time. Both sides have gone through the process with each other before and taken a while to get to the finish line. But Prescott is confident a deal will eventually be agreed upon.

“I’m definitely confident,” Prescott said via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “Obviously it helps the team. It’s important for the numbers… That is a process. Both sides understand that. Everything’s great. It’ll happen.”

Jerry Jones has everyone wondering what the Cowboys will do with Prescott. A contract extension could be accomplished this season, with Prescott having just one year remaining. His salary cap hit heading into 2024 will be $59 million and lowering it will significantly help the Cowboys, as Prescott mentioned.

There are a lot of positional needs on the roster if Dallas is going to be competitive moving forward. Getting Prescott’s cap number significantly lower will help the front office add pieces around Prescott to make another run in the playoffs.

However, multiple reports have stated an extension is not guaranteed. Dallas could ride out the final year of Prescott’s deal and then make a decision next offseason. Jones is expected to do something similar with the coaching staff led by Mike McCarthy.

A lot rides on how the Cowboys perform in 2024, mainly in the playoffs. Contract extension or no contract extension, Jones is confident Prescott can find a way to be better heading into next season.

“My point is that we can be better,” Jones said. “Dak can play better than he has maybe, we could argue one of the best years he’s ever had in his career. But the good news is, I’m convinced that he can play better. And I’m convinced that we can do some things better all the way around and so we’re all in.”

Prescott threw for over 4,500 yards last season while completing 69.5% of his throws. He added 36 touchdowns and just nine interceptions, creating his best TD:INT ratio of his career at 4:1. If the numbers are somehow better next year, Prescott will be getting paid big-time.