ESPN analysts call for Dak Prescott to test free agency after 2024 season: ‘He would be crazy to sign a contract now’

Dak Prescott‘s contract situation has no shortage of intrigue. The former Mississippi State star is entering his final season under contract with the Dallas Cowboys, and if he doesn’t sign an extension offer, he could be in for one of the wildest free agency periods in recent memory. According to the analysts at ESPN, letting his contract lapse is the smartest thing Prescott could do.

“This is all on Dak Prescott,” Get Up contributor Damien Woody said on Tuesday. “I’m not saying that the Dallas Cowboys can’t re-sign Dak Prescott but he has all the leverage. If he goes out there and balls like he did last year, he was like runner-up for MVP, he’s going to be in the $60 million range. Easy as a quarterback.”

Get Up host Mike Greenberg also asked Kimberley A. Martin if she believes the 2024 season will be Prescott’s last with Dallas. So far, he’s spent all eight of his years in the NFL with the Cowboys after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

“I hope it is his last year,” Martin said. “If I have to wonder how you feel about me, if I have to wait for my money, I want to feel special, I want to feel loved. I would want to hit that free agent market and be able to have options, choose where I want to be.”

Woody: Playing for Cowboys is ‘another level’

Despite Woody agreeing with Martin that Prescott could land a much bigger contract if he waits the Cowboys out into next offseason, he also played devil’s advocate on Thursday. The former NFL offensive lineman pointed out that playing for “America’s Team” comes with prestige that other teams can’t offer the star quarterback.

“Playing quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys is on another level than other franchises,” Woody argued. “That’s why I don’t dismiss him potentially signing back with the Cowboys after the season. Because of the allure of playing for the Dallas Cowboys.”

Echoing some of his colleagues, including insider Adam Schefter, Mike Greenberg went so far as to say Prescott signing with Dallas this offseason would be “crazy.” After bringing the team to another 12-5 record last season, the quarterback has all the leverage he could hope for – even without an impressive playoff record to match. The Cowboys can’t trade him or tag him, which means either they sign him or see him play for one of the other 31 teams in the league next year.

“The answer to the question of whether this will be his last season is that it’s entirely up to him, and that’s the best possible position for someone to be in,” Greenberg said. “He would be crazy to sign a contract now.”