CBA Negotiations Further Complicating Cowboys-Dak Prescott Contract Situation

We don't often sympathize with Dallas Cowboys fans, but they have to be feeling awfully mystified as to why the organization has yet to ink a contract extension with quarterback Dak Prescott.

The longer Dallas waits the more complicated things become, and one significant deadline is rapidly approaching. If the Cowboys don't intend on franchise-tagging the 26-year-old signal caller, the team has approximately 48 hours to reach an agreement on an extension.

Assuming Dallas proceeds to tag Prescott, both parties would have until July 15 to agree to terms on a contract extension until his salary -- roughly $32 million -- is set in stone for the 2020 season.

Cowboys have 48 hours to formalize the franchise tag on QB Dak Prescott. Move is considered entirely procedural if no extension done, and those long-term talks been hampered by lack of CBA clarity. July 15 is deadline for Prescott to sign a multi-year deal before start of season.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 14, 2020

Seems like bad timing. The newest CBA will no doubt change things based on contracts, incentives, salary cap increases, etc. The sooner it's resolved, the better.

Saturday night marks the deadline for the NFLPA union members to vote on the proposed collective bargaining agreement. It's yet to be reported if players are dead set on ratifying it, but things are definitely not trending in that direction after the owner's latest demands (which includes an 18-game regular season) were publicized.

If the CBA is sanctioned, then the Cowboys would only be permitted to use one of the franchise and transition tags. Assuming they use one of the two on Prescott, that leaves the future of Amari Cooper all the more cloudy. If it's not passed, the Cowboys can use both the franchise and transition tags, which would help them a lot more.

The pending vote over the latest CBA proposal complicates the Cowboys’ negotiations with Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper. Here’s the latest from NFL free agency: https://t.co/QUey5noiE5
— The Ringer (@ringer) March 9, 2020

The clock is ticking, Jerry Jones. Time to get a move on!