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There is about half of a week between now and the next-most important day for the Dallas Cowboys. We are of course talking about March 9th.
While the Cowboys might have some plans for free agency that they want to pay attention to the first thing that they need to take care of this offseason is the most important player on their team - QB Dak Prescott.
Much has been said about Dak in a number of different directions, but the Cowboys very clearly want to have Prescott under center for the foreseeable future. We are now in the third offseason in a row in which they have been trying to lock him down long-term. It either has to happen this year or it never will since the franchise tag value for next year is one that the Cowboys cannot afford.
Things are reportedly positive between Dak Prescott and the Cowboys ahead of the tag deadline
Speaking of the franchise tag deadline, it is obviously coming up. We all know that if we reach the point of no return this coming Tuesday that the Cowboys are going to be forced to place the tag on Dak (likely in the exclusive variety) so as to buy themselves more time to negotiate. It’s not like over two years is enough time or anything.
On the Friday before the final weekend in which they will have time to think this over before the tag deadline it was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that things are “positive” between the two sides.
From NFL Now: As the franchise tag deadline looms, where do things stand with #Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (all positive as of now), #Lions WR Kenny Golladay, and #Panthers OT Taylor Moton (expected to be tagged). pic.twitter.com/jLnSzGe7rQ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2021
He notes this himself, but nothing that Ian says is of the breaking news variety. It is obviously common sense that if the Cowboys are forced to that they are going to tag Dak.
What Ian does note though is that the fact that things are “positive” between the two camps is a bit significant. While this doesn’t move things in one clear direction or the other it does seem to be different than the situation was at this time last year.
This is the second time this week in which we have heard that conversations have been pleasant between the Cowboys and Dak’s representation. Hopefully they continue along that path to the point that a long-term deal can get done and we can put all of this behind us.