How Future Dak Prescott Contract Will Affect Cowboys Salary Cap for Years to Come
The Dallas Cowboys have already signed Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper to massive extensions. Dak Prescott is up next and should earn well over $30 million annually.
A deal worth that much is going to have significant ramifications for the Cowboys moving forward. Tough decisions will have to be made and the team could end up cutting talented players just to pay the quarterback.
The #Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott have reengaged on long-term contract talks, and sources say the two sides are communicating and would like to work out a deal. With a contract this complex, there are so many details, it’s difficult to gauge where it stands. But they are working.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2020
The team would still have around $18-20 million in cap space this year if Prescott gets his extension. Changes would begin in 2021 as Cooper will get a $10 million raise and Elliott's cap number goes up by $3 million. Assuming all three are safe, the cuts begin elsewhere on the roster.
Offensive tackle Tyron Smith is set to be a $13.5 million cap hit in 2020 and is under contract through 2023 at that number. His dead cap goes down to $0 in 2022 and is only $1.75 million in 2021. At 29 years old the Cowboys may be forced to move on and go with a younger, cheaper player at tackle.
A source on #Cowboys negotiations with QB Dak Prescott wouldn’t describe a contract resolution as close but said discussions not contentious and Prescott will emerge as highest-paid NFL player. Fact April 6 offseason start postponed is factor in that it eliminated team deadline.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 26, 2020
Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch could also be affected by the Prescott extension. He is still on his rookie deal potentially through 2022 if the Cowboys pick up his fifth-year option. Yet there may just not be enough money to even give him that option, let alone sign him to a second contract. Jaylon Smith signed a six-year deal in 2019 and may take up the available money at linebacker.
However, the Cowboys could also look to dump salary by trading players like Smith, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, or offensive guard Zack Martin, who signed an $84 million extension in 2018. Elliott and Cooper could even come up in trade talks if the Cowboys want to focus on improving other positions.
The team is set on giving Prescott a deal worth somewhere around $35 million annually. The salary cap is expected to rise in the coming years, but the deal for Prescott will still limit what the Cowboys can do when it comes to signing free agents and homegrown talent. Whether Prescott is worth the money or not will define the team throughout the next decade.