Loophole in Dak Prescott’s contract shows why Cowboys don’t have to extend QB

Loophole in Dak Prescott’s contract shows why Cowboys don’t have to extend QB

It is widely expected that the Cowboys must extend quarterback Dak Prescott in order to save salary cap room. However, his contract has a loophole that offers Dallas an advantage.

According to Micahel Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys extended Prescott’s four-year, $160 million contract by adding two empty years (2025 and 2026). They can use these to convert his salary into a signing bonus, saving cap space and increasing financial flexibility.

Dallas did this last offseason and could do so again. According to Gehlken, this trade would cut Prescott’s cap number from $59.46 million to $40.93 million, while Dallas would gain $18.53 million in cap space.

While this would be prudent, the Cowboys are likely to offer Prescott a new contract. According to Over The Cap, an extension saves somewhat more cap room ($26.32 million). OTC predicts that Dallas is $19.74 million over the cap.

The Cowboys are also unable to identify a suitable substitute. They have the 24th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, meaning all of the top quarterback prospects should be off the board.

Dallas also wants to avoid damaging its connection with Prescott. If he becomes a free agent in 2025, the Cowboys will be unable to franchise tag him since his contract includes a no-tag clause. He’s also got a no-trade clause.

The 30-year-old is still in his prime and recently had one of his best seasons in his eight-year career. . In 17 games, he finished first in the league in passing TDs (36), second in QBR (72.7) and third in passing yards (4,516).

Despite their dismal postseason record (2-5), Dallas benefits from having a reliable starting quarterback.

“I believe in Dak Prescott,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy recently told Gehlken. “I believe he is certainly the answer. He is a component of the solution going forward. As bad as things are right now, after we get over this emotional moment, we’ll be able to build on what he brings to the table.

Get more related news on https://dailysportnews.co.uk