Dak not fretting on deal: ‘I don’t play for money’

Todd Archer, ESPN Staff WriterMay 22, 2024, 05:43 PM ET
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FRISCO, Texas — Many have wondered why the Dallas Cowboys have waited to sign Dak Prescott to a contract extension, but the quarterback has displayed a level of patience as well.

“I don’t play for money. Never have never cared for it, to be honest with you, yeah,” Prescott said after the Cowboys’ OTAs on Wednesday. “Would give it up just to play this game. So, I allow that to the business people to say what it’s worth, what they’re supposed to give a quarterback of my play, a person of my play, a leader of my play. For me, it’s about, as I said, control what I can control and handle that part and the rest will take care of itself.”

Prescott is in the final year of a four-year, $160 million deal he signed in 2021. He has a no-trade clause in his contract, and the team cannot use the franchise tag on him next year.

Prescott has said he wants to remain with the Cowboys. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has said continually that he wants Prescott to remain the quarterback. Yet the Cowboys and Prescott’s agent, Todd France, have yet to engage in meaningful discussions on a new deal.

The Detroit Lions signed quarterback Jared Goff to a recent deal worth $53 million annually, including a $73 million signing bonus. Prescott is set to count $55.45 million against the salary cap this year. Without a deal by next March, Prescott would count more than $40 million against the 2025 cap in dead-money charges.

How much is a contract a matter of respect?

“I think it depends on personal relationships and position and how much that pay can affect others, understanding where I am, what my pay means to a team and to an organization,” Prescott said. “I don’t really take things personal. Maybe in my first deal, maybe things were a little different than they are now. One, it’s my age and who I am, where I am in my life, and I guess the fact that that first deal got done. The understanding that I have a lot of decision in this, too. I have a lot of say-so, too.”

As his contract status swirls, Prescott has not missed an offseason workout.

“Right now, it’s about being my best for this team right now in this moment. OTAs is helping these guys out, and just focused on that, and I know my business will take care of itself,” he said. “Been in it before, experienced and just controlling what I can right now.”

Prescott led the NFL in touchdown passes last year and delivered the Cowboys an NFC East title with a third straight 12-5 record, but their season ended in the wild-card round against the Green Bay Packers.

Prescott has not gotten past the second round of the playoffs in five tries for a team that has not made it to an NFC Championship Game since 1995. His contemporaries in Dallas are putting on the heat.

Last fall, the Texas Rangers won the World Series. This week, the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars are playing in the NBA’s and NHL’s Western Conference finals.

“It’s not jealousy, but yeah, it fires you up, 100%,” Prescott said. “Yeah, any competitor should, damn sure, in my position, leader of the team, understanding what winning means here, not getting it done, and then watching your brothers across the city go and make these things happen, I want it for them. I want it because it only raises the stakes and makes it tougher on me. And I’m for that. Go win it. Rangers did it. Other two go do it. Put more f—ing pressure on us.”