Jerry Jones confident Cowboys, Dak Prescott can 'play better' in 2024

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says Dak Prescott will be better this fall and he isn’t that concerned it could be the quarterback’s final season in Dallas.

Jones, who is at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, met privately with members of the media who cover the Cowboys to discuss the state of the team.

Prescott’s contract could be a huge story looming over the off season. This is his final year under his existing contract. And Prescott’s cap hit is $59.5 million, if nothing changes. For context, the next highest Cowboys player is Zack Martin, with a hit of $28.5 million. Amongst NFL players, Prescott’s cap hit is second highest in the NFL behind only Deshaun Watson‘s $63.9 million.

“We just have in mind the team that’s going on the field this year,” Jones told local reporters. “And we all know that every team in this league has limitations as far as where they are on the cap. And where they are in the draft and where they are with their free agents, who they can use the franchise tag. You only have one. All of those kinds of things.

“But my point is that we can be better. Dak [Prescott] 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.”

The Cowboys can make that cap figure go down by negotiating a new extension, which could make Prescott one of the highest paid players in history. They also can restructure the numbers and convert some of the salary to a bonus. The maneuvering could create about $18 million in extra room under the cap.

Cowboys QB ultimately judged by post season success

The 30-year-old, new father-to-be enjoyed one of his best seasons last fall. At least, consider it as one of his best seasons if judged solely on statistics. He led the NFL with 36 touchdowns and 410 completions. The Cowboys won 12 regular season games. But the Packers blew out the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in the opening round of the playoffs. The top quarterbacks are judged by their post seasons. And Prescott has yet to take the Cowboys past the divisional round.

“What we do there or don’t do [with Prescott’s contract], I couldn’t say at this time,” Jones told reporters. “But the main thing is he’s going to be our quarterback.”

Jones also mentioned Trey Lance, the quarterback who came to the Cowboys last August after a surprise trade with the 49ers. Lance was the third pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He started 2022 as QB1 with San Francisco, but injured his ankle and eventually lost his job to Brock Purdy.

Jones said Lance has a bright future with the Cowboys.

“He’s exceeded expectations as a person, as a worker,” Jones said about Lance, who will compete with Cooper Rush for QB2. “He’s very much what we had planned on, hoped when we gave the pick.”