:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65003406/usa_today_13189027.0.jpg)
Negotiating contracts is always a tough business in the NFL.
Dak Prescott is one part of the Cowboys modern-day triplets that is seeking a contract extension (Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper are obviously the other two). He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal and as a franchise quarterback he is very likely going to be quite the wealthy man soon.
Quarterbacks in today’s NFL have soared past $30M on an annual basis. Guys are topping that quite easily and it makes sense that Prescott would do so when his deal is eventually finalized.
There are a lot of people who are having a difficult time coming to grips with paying him even $30M per year, and those people might want to sit down. According to NFL Network’s Jane Slater, Dak Prescott is seeking $40M per year.
This is negotiating and business here. Number, if gets done, would likely be closer to 34-35M but as I reported earlier this summer don’t expect a “hometown discount” https://t.co/aVg9uZhRAk
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) August 12, 2019
It’s important to read what Slater said a few times... this is how negotiating is done. The side that doesn’t want to pay offers less than they’re willing to, and the side that is seeking payment asks for more than they’re actually willing to accept. It’s a game of back and forth that’s currently being played between the Cowboys and Prescott, and this latest serve is surely one to cause a few jaws to drop.
There are currently no quarterbacks in the NFL who average at least $40M per season, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has the highest value at $35M. This is quite the leap from Prescott’s camp, but again, this is how negotiating is done.
Quarterbacks are the most expensive thing that football can offer. It’s going to cost a lot, perhaps not quite this much, when Prescott is ultimately signed with the Cowboys. When will that be and for how much? We’ll have to keep on waiting to find out.
Update: 5:05pm ET
There are now two reports that refute the idea that Dak Prescott is asking for $40M per season.
Source says report that Cowboys QB Dak Prescott wants $40M per year is all-caps false, under new-money standard or total value at signing analysis.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 12, 2019
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott's representatives are not asking for $40M/year, source familiar with negotiations tells @usatodaysports. Source: "That is false."
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) August 12, 2019
We’ll see where the two sides ultimately settle.
Update: 6:10pm ET
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen also chimed in that Dak Prescott is not asking for $40M per season.
Dak Prescott is not asking for $40 million per year from @Cowboys and even reporting he's turning down $30 million on average is somewhat misleading, as @PFT reports. Yes, details matter. As I said even earlier, what's the structure, the real guarantees, etc.? So, relax.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) August 12, 2019
Who do you believe?