Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott Doesn’t Hold Back Thoughts On His NFL Future

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after losing in the 2024 NFC wild card game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has been a major focal point this offseason and it certainly appears like the veteran signal caller is heading into his most important NFL season of his career so far.

Since the Cowboys lost yet another playoff game where they were favored after their third-straight 12 win season, there’s been a ton of speculation about Prescott’s future in Dallas.

After the season ended, almost everyone tied into NFL circles believed the Cowboys would extend Prescott to free up salary cap space so they could add talent around him and make another run at a Super Bowl in 2024. Instead, Jerry Jones surprised everyone and stated he had a conversation with the Dallas Cowboys franchise QB and both sides were in agreement to let him play out the final year of his contract.

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) practices before the 2024 NFC wild card game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time since joining America’s Team out of Mississippi State, there’s a real chance Dak Prescott could play for another team following the 2024 season.

Ironically, the Dallas signal caller is coming off one of his best statistical seasons in the NFL.

Dak Prescott finished the regular season as a strong MVP candidate after wrapping up one of the best campaigns of his NFL career. The Dallas Cowboys QB led the NFL in several key categories with 4,516 passing yards (third), 36 touchdowns (1st), nine interceptions and a QBR of 72.7 (second in the NFL).

In a way, the Dallas Cowboys have painted themselves into a corner when it comes to Dak Prescott.. He has a no-trade clause in his deal, so he can’t necessarily be dealt. They owe him $59 million in 2024, which gives him a lot of leverage in negotiations—at worst, he can walk away from the table and the Cowboys will have to pay him that money. Again, a cut is a longshot here.

It feels like the Cowboys always enter a new season with a ton of pressure but this one feels bigger than any in recent history. Mike McCarthy is playing for his job and it seems like if Prescott doesn’t lead Dallas to at least a playoff win or two, Jones is poised to hit the reset button on the whole operation.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Makes The Focus For His NFL Future Abundantly Clear

August 10, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and owner Jerry Jones (right) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Prescott is set to enter the final year of his current deal with the team, and there’s no extension in sight for him.

Prescott says that he’d like to extend his tenure in Dallas for as long as he can, but noted that the contract talk isn’t distracting him from being there for his team in 2024. He’s also addressed the reality that he could be suiting up for a different team after 2024.

But for now, the Dallas Cowboys QB is putting his sole focus into helping his team compete for a Super Bowl in 2024.

It’s still conversations. I’m aware of everything [Jerry Jones] said and everything he said is dead-on – communication has been back-and-forth,” Prescott said about his current contract negotiations.

“At the end of the day, I’ve talked about this is where I want to be, but my focus is on helping my team. It’s as simple as that…I’m just focused on helping this team and being the best I can and get better.”

To date, Prescott has played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys after being drafted in 2016.

He’s led the franchise to multiple playoff appearances and wins in the postseason, but the NFC Championship and Super Bowl have eluded him so far.

Prescott says that he and everyone in the facility are attempting “to continue to get better.”

Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws during the first quarter of a NFC divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

He noted the uptick of offensive success when the Cowboys head coach took over play calling. Throughout the 2023 regular season, the Dallas Cowboys were must-watch TV and one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.

“We scratched the surface, in the sense of this was our first year with Mike [McCarthy] calling the show [on offense]. Continued to improve all year long.

All the great things we had last year, to take it into game plan earlier in the offseason for things that may come up during the season.”

The Cowboys’ 2023 season ended in embarrassing fashion after their loss to the Green Bay Packers at home in the Wild Card round.