The Dallas Cowboys have secured Dak Prescott’s services with a landmark $240 million, four-year contract, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history and solidifying his desire to win a Super Bowl with the team he loves.
“I wanted to be a Cowboy,” Prescott expressed. “I wanted to stay a Cowboy and it got done.”
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the deal hasn’t been formally announced, revealed that Prescott is the first player in league history to average $60 million per season. Entering the final year of a prior $160 million, four-year contract, Prescott’s new deal includes a record $231 million guaranteed, surpassing Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed agreement with the Browns by $1 million.
“I had an obligation to the league and to the other quarterbacks,” Prescott said. “It’s because I was up (due) and the next guy, I expect to beat me.”
Prescott received the news from his agent while preparing for Sunday’s game against the Browns, where he then delivered a solid performance, throwing one touchdown pass and leading the Cowboys to a 33-17 victory in their season opener.
Negotiations were intense, with weeks of speculation about whether an agreement could be reached. Prescott had wanted clarity as he entered his final contract year.
“In any negotiation, one side wants something and the other side wants something else,” Prescott stated. “You’ve got to meet in the middle. I’m just glad it’s done and it works for everyone.”
He confirmed speaking with owner and general manager Jerry Jones on Saturday, who assured him of the Cowboys’ commitment to finalize the deal.
“I know that these numbers are beyond anything that I could have ever imagined,” Jones told reporters shortly before kickoff.
Prescott has guided the Cowboys to five playoff appearances in his first eight years, including three consecutive seasons, yet the team seeks a significant postseason breakthrough, having not advanced past the divisional round since their last Super Bowl win in 1995.
At 31, Prescott remains determined to lead the Cowboys further in the playoffs.
“It’s about me holding up my end of the deal,” he emphasized.
“This was the thing to do for what we’re here for and that is to win a championship,” Jones said. “I gave everything I ever had or hoped to have to get a chance to be a part of the Cowboys. And it’s beyond my fondest dreams where we stand today.”
Prescott’s new contract follows the recent extension of All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb, who signed a $136 million, four-year contract with the team.
Emerging from a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2016, Prescott’s journey began with an unexpected turn of events. An injury to Tony Romo and backup Kellen Moore thrust Prescott into the starting role in his rookie season. Despite an initial loss, he led the Cowboys to an impressive 11-game winning streak, a franchise record.
Prescott edged out Ezekiel Elliott for the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honor as they propelled the Cowboys to the top seed in the NFC, though their playoff journey ended with a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Two years later, the Cowboys secured their first playoff victory under Prescott against Seattle before falling to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round. The following years saw more playoff participations but falling short of deep runs, highlighted by another defeat at the hands of the 49ers after a memorable wild-card win over Tom Brady’s Buccaneers.
Last season, Prescott’s career-best 36 touchdown passes, over 4,500 passing yards, and a sparkling completion percentage of 67% were overshadowed by a crushing wild-card loss to the Packers, cutting short the high hopes for a deep playoff run.
As he continues his climb up the Cowboys’ career charts, Prescott now eyes a chance to surpass franchise legends Tony Romo, Troy Aikman, and Roger Staubach in various statistical categories. Currently, he is second in touchdown passes, third in passing yards, and the club’s all-time leader in completion percentage.
With 29,638 passing yards and 203 touchdowns, Dak Prescott’s journey is far from over, and with this monumental deal, the pursuit of a Cowboys’ Super Bowl victory is more fervent than ever.
