Cowboys news: Dak Prescott extension talk heats up, likely to be among NFL’s highest-paid players

Source - Cowboys, Dak Prescott resume contract talks - ESPN
It's back to the negotiating table for the Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott to hammer out a deal.

The Dallas Cowboys have resumed contract negotiations with Dak Prescott for the first time since the team used the exclusive franchise tag on him earlier this month, a source told ESPN’s Ed Werder.

Prescott is the first quarterback in Cowboys history to have the franchise tag applied to him.

A team source said the NFL currently shows a $26,824,000 charge to the Cowboys’ salary cap for Prescott, even though he has not signed the franchise tender.

Cowboys & QB Dak Prescott negotiating past his franchise tag placeholder of $26.8M - Mike Fisher, Sports Illustrated
Get ready for the Cowboys quarterback to cash in big on his extension, which will likely place him among NFL's highest paid players.

Prescott, the Cowboys QB, is presently subject to the exclusive franchise tag, which was placed on him on March 18 - which is also the last time, sources tell us, the two sides engaged in serious communication.

Where are we heading? The Cowboys and agent Todd France of CAA are largely “debating years,’’ we’re told - Dallas preferring the longer-term five-year deal, Prescott preferring a four-year contract. The other numbers? As noted on Wednesday, we’re likely approaching the $110 million mark in guarantees and the $35 million mark in APY. (Worth adding to the pile here: Jared Goff’s 2020 cap hit is $36 mil. Russell Wilson’s APY is $35 mil. This is pretty much where the Cowboys negotiations with Dak are going - top of the top. Brace yourself.)

Projecting Dak Prescott's extension that will likely hover around Russell Wilson's 2019 deal - Anthony Holzman-Escareno. NFL.com
How much will Dak Prescott land if he secures a long-term extension with the Cowboys? Well the number is only going up from here.

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys: Four years, $138 million

The quarterback shouldered the largest load of his career in 2019, finishing with career highs in passing yards (4,902) and passing touchdowns (30). However, the Cowboys suffered their first losing season with Prescott at the helm, fizzling down the stretch after a promising 3-0 start against underwhelming competition. The team parted ways with coach Jason Garrett, replacing him with Mike McCarthy, who was hired in part to help further maximize Prescott.

Regardless, the quarterback market of late is not about who’s best, but who’s next. The Cowboys reportedly offered Prescott $33 million per season with $105 million guaranteed, but that didn’t get the job done. Prescott’s highly touted 2016 draftmates Jared Goff (receiving $33.5 million per year from the Rams) and Carson Wentz (receiving $32 million per year from the Eagles) have each already signed lucrative extensions, and Prescott’s career totals in QB wins, passing yards and offensive TDs are higher than those of Goff or Wentz, as is his career passer rating.

Anybody, be it a Cowboys legend or not, would be foolish to ask Prescott to provide his services at a discount. As a former fourth-round pick, he’s made $4.03 million so far in his NFL career, and he’s earned the right to be paid in full. Dallas had a chance to sign Prescott to a much more team-friendly deal last January, but that time has passed. Though the organization undoubtedly wants to lock Prescott into one of those Cowboys contracts of six-plus years (like those given to Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and Ezekiel Elliott), the two-time Pro Bowler might want a shorter deal so he hit can the market for a third contract sooner. Prescott also has time; should star QBs Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson land extensions anytime soon, they’ll provide more data points for Prescott’s camp.

PROJECTED CONTRACT DETAILS

Average per year: $34.5 million

Full guarantees: $75 million

Total guarantees: $115 million

Sean Lee dishes on re-signing with the Cowboys, his stance on the NFL’s new CBA and more - SportsDay DFW
Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio to give his reasoning for returning to the Cowboys in 2020.

On what factored into re-signing with the Cowboys...

Lee: “Being here as long as I have been, it’s a place where I want to retire and hopefully fulfill the goal of winning a championship. And then being able to meet with Coach [Mike] McCarthy and coach [Mike] Nolan and to understand their plan. I think they have great plans, I think they’re doing a lot of great things in free agency to help us. And for me, hopefully, in the future, winning a championship with the Cowboys and then retiring there, that’s always been my plan.”

Maurice Canady More Than Just a Corner - Bucky Brooks,DallasCowboys.com
Former NFL player and scout, Bucky Brooks, is a fan of the Cowboys signing former Jets and Ravens CB, Maurice Canady.

As a zone defender, Canady started to show a better feel for where he fits into the puzzle in coverage. With the Jets, in particular, he started to quickly diagnose route concepts before making aggressive breaks on the throw. He showed up quickly when the ball was thrown and wasn’t afraid to mix it up as a tackler on the perimeter. In fact, Canady’s aggressiveness as a hitter and tackler showed up in run support and in the kicking game. He files around to the ball with reckless abandon and his overall physicality stands out when reviewing the tape.

On special teams, Canady brings an aggressive approach to the “Gunner” (Punt) and “Vise” (Punt Return) positions. He wins with speed, aggressiveness, and physicality while also displaying dependable open-field tackling skills. Canady not only has a knack for getting ball carriers down with traditional wrap-up tackles but he will also chop down runners with cross-body blows.

Cowboys free agent focus: Dontari Poe is right investment for improving Dallas’ run defense - Michael Sisemore, Blogging The Boys
Finally, a guy that can eat up blocks and swallow up running backs has been added to the Cowboys.

This signing of Dontari Poe will signify a change in philosophy from former DC Rod Marinelli to current DC Mike Nolan. The value of the run-stuffing defensive tackle just increased exponentially from where it used to sit under the former coaching staff. For many years, followers of this football team have begged for a true nose tackle, capable of eating up double teams, collapsing pockets, and closing rushing lanes. It requires bigger body types to accomplish those goals because smaller defensive tackles might be able to offer some pass rush but they can get blown off the ball or get out of position trying to get upfield against the run. When that happens, it puts a ton of pressure on linebackers to clean up, and ultimately makes your defense vulnerable to the run. Well, wish no more, the Cowboys have added some beef to this front four. The Cowboys front four just jumped from an average of 287 pounds in 2019 to 302 pounds in 2020.

3 Potential 1-year Rentals the Dallas Cowboys Should Consider Trading For - Brian Martin, InsideTheStar
The Cowboys should take advantage of a few one-year rentals on the free agent market.

Carl Lawson is someone I wanted the Dallas Cowboys to draft back in 2017, now I’m hoping they can somehow swing a trade for him this offseason. With the departure of Robert Quinn, there’s currently a void that needs to be filled opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. Randy Gregory expected to make his return to the NFL this year, but expecting him to be anything more than a bonus would be unwise.

Like Quinn, Lawson could be nothing more than a one-year rental since he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract. But as such he likely wouldn’t cost too much to acquire via trade if the Cincinnati Bengals are willing to part ways with him. With Carlos Dunlap and Sam Hubbard entrenched as the starters, Lawson’s long-term future in Cincinnati is unknown.

Carl Lawson likely wouldn’t be a starter with the Cowboys either, but he could be a really good rotational piece opposite Lawrence. With him, Tyrone Crawford, and Randy Gregory the Cowboys would have a formidable rotation at right defensive end. Lawson may just be a one-year rental, but he’s worth it in my opinion. After all, it worked out pretty well with Robert Quinn.

Dallas Cowboys Players Team Up to Support Local Restaurants Amid COVID-19 - Amy McCarthy, Eater Dallas
The "HotBoyz" are selling gift cards to help out struggling eateries during the COVID-19 epidemic.

The group, comprised of defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence, Kerry Hyder, Robert Quinn, Dorance Armstrong, and Tyrone Crawford, nose tackle Antwaun Woods, linebacker Jaylon Smith, and defensive tackle Maliek Collins, is offering a series of perks to Cowboys fans who buy gift cards to local businesses through their website. Folks who buy gift cards priced at $100 or more are eligible to receive everything from a shout-out on the HotBoyz blog to a personalized “thank you” video.

The priciest option, “Hall of Flame” pass that’s priced at $2,500, doesn’t actually involve getting any gift cards, but does come with a whole lot of perks. The pass provides $2,500 in local business gift cards to “nonprofits, first responders, and workers in need” and includes two tickets to a Cowboys game and a “meet and greet” with the HotBoyz.

Lower-priced options range from $25 to $500 gift cards to spots like Taqueria El Atoron, Chip’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers, and Frisco’s Gallo Nero Italian Bistro, along with other non-food businesses. The HotBoyz are also selling merch like t-shirts and hats to help support the efforts.

CowBuzz: Sean Lee Pledges 150K For Crisis Relief - Taylor Stern, DallasCowboys.com
Athletes all over are stepping up to give back in this time of crisis in the country, Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee is pledging quite a bit on his own.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee and his wife Megan have committed to donating $150,000 through their Dreambuilders Foundation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County to help them provide meals to kids and families during the Coronavirus crisis. The donation will help the two organizations provide 50,000 meals over the next six weeks.

Many kids depend on school meals to keep them fed, and with schools not in session, they are in danger of going hungry. The clubs in Dallas and Tarrant County are distributing meals to families in need through approved locations in order to ensure these children get the food they need.

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