With the franchise tag window set to open, Dak Prescott’s reps and Cowboys have reportedly negotiated

When it comes to the franchise tag in the National Football League there are three important dates to know:

• February 23rd (franchise tag window opens)
• March 9th (franchise tag window closes)
• July 15th (long-term deals for tagged players must be done)

Last week we talked about how the NFL Draft falls between the deadline to place the tag and July’s point of no return. While Tuesday marks the tag window opening if the Dallas Cowboys are going to place the franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott for the second year in a row, news of that likely won’t come until closer to March 9th.

Placing a tag on a player for the second year in a row is a dicey proposition, especially at the quarterback position. The Cowboys need to tread lightly if they truly want Prescott around for the future, obviously if they plan on moving on then they will act how they see fit.

Dak Prescott’s representation and the Cowboys have reportedly had negotiations

While it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that Team Dak and the Cowboys have spoken and actually negotiated over terms, it is certainly noteworthy that it has happened. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer the Cowboys have indeed been negotiating with their quarterback’s representation.

There have been discussions – if not actual negotiations – with Prescott’s rep. Without a long-term deal by March 9, the next deadline to watch is June 15, the final day the sides can reach an agreement or else Prescott has play the season on the tag.

Given that this is the third offseason in a row in which the Cowboys can sign Dak Prescott to a long-term extension they are seemingly used to negotiating with Dak Prescott’s agents. Again, this is hardly a big reveal of information, but it is nevertheless a sign of even the most minute amount of progress.

Should the Cowboys and Prescott not agree to terms before March 9th then we are looking at a situation where they will very likely tag him and try to figure things out (again) by mid-July. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said just as much on Monday afternoon.

Around and around we go. Where we stop, nobody knows.