Would Dak Prescott Getting a Massive Contract Extension Help or Hurt Him?

Following Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love getting massive contract extensions, Dak Prescott is the only quarterback left to try and get a big-time extension. There is a lot of controversy regarding whether or not Dak Prescott deserves a new contract. This would confuse the causal football fan as Prescott was second in MVP voting last year and put up 4,516 passing yards and 36 touchdowns last year. Those numbers are tremendous, but a lot of these stats came at the end of games, known as garbage time stats, and the Cowboys did not win even one playoff game. Despite this team being constantly loaded with talent and expectations, they have constantly underdelivered when it comes to winning in the playoffs. If Dak manages to convince the Cowboys to give him over $55 million annually, will a new deal like that personally help Dak or hurt him long-term?

Let’s start with how it helps him. Every player is always encouraged to go get what they are worth. In the NFL today, quarterbacks are making over $50 million annually. With Dak at 31 years old, this contract will probably be the last one he has in his athletic prime. A few years ago Dak suffered a grueling injury and if he suffers another one it can really hurt his ability to play the position as he continually ages. Therefore, locking up a big contract can provide him with financial security for the rest of his life. When you take hits in the NFL, they leave a massive impact on your body for the rest of your life. Dak needs to make sure he gets well compensated for that, especially when you put up MVP-like numbers each year like he does.

However, let’s consider how getting a big contract actually hurts Dak. If he manages to land a new deal around $60 million annually, he would be putting the Cowboys in a salary cap nightmare. But the Cowboys having salary cap issues isn’t Dak’s problem, so why should he take less money? If the Cowboys can’t pay anyone else on the team, especially his wide receivers like Ceedee Lamb, then Dak won’t be able to put up amazing stats anymore because he won’t have dynamic players to throw to. The marginal benefit between the receivers who get paid $30 million and $20 million annually is massive because that’s the difference between having Tyreek Hill and Diontae Johnson. If Dak is looking to maximize his career earnings, he should take less on this deal and give himself a chance to win with dynamic players around him. This allows him to get a massive longevity contract in a few years when he starts to decline and will give him the opportunity to land numerous endorsement deals by winning big games with America’s team.