Cowboys news: Jerry Jones feels contract negotiations with Dak Prescott are going well

Dak Prescott contract extension: Jerry Jones says negotiations for QB Dak Prescott ‘going well’ - Michael Shapiro, SI.com
The Cowboys’ owner is feeling very confident in extending quarterback Dak Prescott as negotiations ramp up.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is confident Dallas will reach an agreement on a contract extension with quarterback Dak Prescott, saying the negotiations are “going well,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

”I’d generally say [the negotiations are] going well,” Jones told Rapoport. “These things never have a definitive answer. Because you never know if you’ve done it until you’ve done it.”

Prescott is reportedly seeking an extension “worth at least $30 million per year,” NFL Network’s Jeremy Bergman reports. He sent a counteroffer to the Cowboys on Wednesday after receiving an initial offer from Jones and Co. earlier in the offseason, according to NFL Network’s Jane Slater.

Dak Prescott's reps submit counteroffer to Dallas Cowboys - Jeremy Bergman, NFL.com
The Cowboys are not only negotiating with Prescott, but are reaching out to others including Ezekiel Elliott.

Prescott is entering the final season of his rookie contract and is reportedly targeting a extension worth at least $30 million per year.

Jones added to Rapoport that Dallas has also begun negotiations with running back Ezekiel Elliott and “others.”

The owner’s comments come after Prescott told NFL Network’s Jane Slater that he and his team have submitted a counteroffer to the Cowboys.

Jerry Jones on Dak Prescott contract talks & Zeke’s “Vegas incident” - Rob Phillips, Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones had some spare time for the media today to talk about the current Cowboys hot topics including Ezekiel Elliott’s Vegas trip.

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones reiterated his support for Ezekiel Elliott on Thursday after reports surfaced earlier this week that the Pro Bowl running back recently had an altercation with a security guard at a Las Vegas concert.

“In terms of his status with us, it has not been impacted in any way,” Jones said Thursday. “And frankly, I know how conscientious he’s been in the offseason. And that’s good enough. No, I don’t see that having any consequences for us.”

Cowboys negotiations with Dak Prescott take a big step forward - Dave Halprin, Blogging The Boys
Dak seems serious about getting market rate for his services.

One thing Prescott seems to have made clear is that he’s not about a discount contract; he’s been working under that for three years. Sounds like he wants what the market numbers say.

“I think when you look at numbers, I think a lot of it’s about the market,” Prescott said. “I don’t really pay attention to any of that. I come in and prove myself each and every day to these other guys in this locker room. That’s the only thing that I have to worry about.

”I know if I’m doing that and getting better, good things happen. That’s out of my focus. As I’ve said before, I’ve got a great team in place to handle that, and it will get done eventually.”

Now that the Prescott camp has responded to the Cowboys initial proposal, the game is truly afoot. It’s not a matter of if, just when.

Why the Cowboys would be right to pay Dak Prescott $30 million per year - Charles McDonald, SBNation.com
It’s Dak Prescott’s turn to get the bag — and he’s earned it.

The Cowboys found something rare in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft: a legitimate franchise quarterback.

Dak Prescott was thrust into the starting lineup as a rookie after Tony Romo injured his back in a preseason game, and he hasn’t looked back. With Prescott as the starter, the Cowboys have won the NFC East two of the past three seasons, something they only did twice in the eight seasons before Prescott arrived.

With Prescott’s rookie deal expiring after the 2019 season, he’ll be jumping from a contract that averages less than $700,000 per year to a market rate extension that could raise a few eyebrows. That’s not going to be easy for Dallas to navigate in the coming years, but it’s the cost of doing business.

Prescott doesn’t post gaudy stat lines every week, but that’s OK. He’s a key reason why the Cowboys have won 32 regular season games and one playoff game since 2016. Franchise quarterbacks can be hard to find — and Dallas has one worth the price tag.

Cowboys’ Kris Richard biding his time until a head coaching opportunity is his – Calvin Watkins, The Athletic
Kris Richard is not disappointed to not be a head coach in the NFL, he's got a pretty good Cowboys' defense to coach which will certainly help in future aspirations.

For now, at least, Richard is back in Dallas. He’s staying in the same role, too, after initial speculation that Marinelli would consider retiring proved to be short-lived. Consequently, everyone’s titles and responsibilities on the defensive side of the ball remain unchanged. Richard says he’s at peace with the outcome, adding that (he’s) “not a title hunter.”

But he also hasn’t taken his eye off the chance to one day run his own team. He’s just waiting for the organization that values what he brings to the table.

“I’m here to give my best, and I’m here to help train these men and help build these men,” he said. “If you want that, you’re looking for that, you’re looking for leadership – then, okay, here I am. If you’re not looking for that, or you think somebody else is going to provide it better, then you pick somebody else.”

Could OC Kellen Moore be the Cowboys' biggest X-Factor in 2019? - Jess Haynie, InsideTheStar
Could the biggest X-Factor be the change at offensive coordinator with adding first-time play-caller Kellen Moore?

Scott Linehan’s run was far from bad. Over his five seasons the Cowboys won three division titles and two playoff games. The only losing season was when they lost Tony Romo in 2015 and didn’t have a Dak Prescott to replace him. But Linehan’s tenure was also marked by an offense that every armchair coach in Cowboys Nationcould predict. There was little razzle and even less dazzle; Dallas ground out wins on the strength of the run game and offensive line.

The old school approach works up to a point, as we’ve seen with four winning seasons out of the last five, but is it really the best way to go? The fact that all four teams in conference title games last year, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New England, and New Orleans, have more modern-styled offenses should tell you something.

It seemed to tell the Cowboys something, leading to the switch from Linehan to Moore. Will Kellen get more creative with the versatile skills that Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott offer? Will he actually throw some passes to a fullback with receiving ability like Jamize Olawale? What about gimmick players like Tavon Austin or rookie Tony Pollard?

If Moore is the real deal as an offensive guru, this Dallas offense could do some special stuff in 2019. It would be the biggest personnel change of the offseason, on or off the field.

Randall Cobb's QB days help him respect Kellen Moore's concepts as he enters year hoping for bounce back - Tyler Dragon, SportsDay
Randall Cobb wanted to be a Cowboy so much that he asked Dak Prescott at the Honors' show to "come get me", now he's happy to be working in the Cowboys offense.

All offseason the Cowboys have professed that they want to innovate what’s been an ordinary offense. Cobb figures to be a key component in the team’s intent to add different dynamics offensively. That was apparent during OTA team drills this week. The Cowboys used the former Green Bay Packers wideout in a variety of different packages.

”Me and Kellen (Moore) have had a lot of conversations,” Cobb said of the new Cowboys offensive coordinator. “On my visit, he told me what his plans were and how I would fit into the scheme and what he’s trying to create here. I’m excited for the opportunity to be as versatile as I can and help out as many different ways as I can.”

Cobb is penciled in to be Dallas’ primary slot receiver, replacing Cole Beasley who departed for Buffalo. The new slot man says he’s going to be an additional threat to a talented offense.