3 Contract Extensions Cowboys Will Regret Giving Out if They Can't Sign Dak Prescott Long Term

Whatever Dallas Cowboys fans think, there's no guarantee Dak Prescott is back after the 2020 season. He's franchise-tagged for this year but no progress has been made on a long-term extension, and Stephen Jones' comments from Saturday surely don't instill any confidence in regards to something getting done in the immediate future.

So where does that leave Cowboys fans? With the salary cap expected to decrease in 2021 if the NFL is forced to play games without fans this upcoming season because of the coronavirus, there's no doubt Dallas' front office will regret dishing out these big extensions if they keep the team from signing Dak to a long-term deal.

3. Blake Jarwin

Dallas Cowboys TE Blake Jarwin / Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Cowboys signed Jarwin, who has minimal experience as a starter, to a four-year, $24 million contract this offseason after Jason Witten departed in free agency. We're not saying it's the end of the world, but when you know you need to allocate as much funds as possible, doling out $6 million per season for a backup tight end with 58 receptions across three NFL seasons just isn't good business.

2. DeMarcus Lawrence

Dallas Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence / Rob Leiter/Getty Images

Tank is certainly a force, but shortly after he signed his monster five-year, $105 million deal, he did a whole lot of nothing. Let's be honest, the Cowboys jumped the gun here. Lawrence had two good NFL seasons before getting this deal and then immediately after registered just five sacks and 45 tackles across 16 starts in 2019. Now, with cap hits of $22 million, $24 million and $26 million after the 2020 season, this will certainly affect the Cowboys' dealings with the cap.

1. Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott / Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Look, Zeke is undoubtedly one of the best rushers in the NFL, but we're aware of the perils of signing a running back to a colossal long-term deal. It's only really worked out for Adrian Peterson. Elliott's six-year, $90 million contract features cap hits of $13.7 million, $16.5 million and $15 million in the seasons after 2020, and he's signed through the 2026 campaign. With the dominant offensive line the Cowboys have built, so many other cost-effective RB options could've put up solid numbers.