Prescott, Cooper shrug off money talk during camp

OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott pretends he can’t hear questions about a new contract, while receiver Amari Cooper steadfastly said he simply doesn’t think about his negotiations.

Both reported to training camp on time as they prepare for the final year of their deals, unlike running back Ezekiel Elliott. The two-time rushing champion has been holding out for more than a week, seeking a new contract with two years left on the existing one.

“Different strokes for different folks,” Cooper said. “Everybody’s situation is different.”

By that, Cooper means he’s about to make $10 million more than Elliott ($13.9 million to $3.9 million). But Cooper also talks to Melvin Gordon, the San Diego running back who also is holding out.

“I have a fifth-year option coming up to where I get paid a significant amount of money if I play on that,” Cooper said. “But the running back position, you know Melvin is one of my good friends, and he tells me the contract he would play on this year isn’t even … it’s nothing. It’s peanuts to an elephant.”

Cooper was the fourth overall pick of the draft in 2015, a year before Elliott went with the same choice. Elliott’s salary is supposed to jump to $9.1 million next year. Gordon was drafted 11 spots behind Cooper, putting his fifth-year salary at $5.6 million this season.

All three of those players surpass the $2 million base salary for Prescott, drafted 131 spots behind Elliott in the fourth round before winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 after Tony Romo got hurt. The Cowboys have two NFC East titles and a 32-16 record with Prescott.

But there was never talk about Prescott staying away from California. He acknowledged during the offseason that “generational money” was coming (his deal could surpass $30 million annually) and he had faith an agreement could be reached.

“I’m not here to talk about my contract and that stuff,” Prescott said early in camp. “For me it’s to come out here and focus on this, not be distracted by any of that stuff, any of that conversation, just focus on being better, just being the best player I can be and making sure everyone around me is as well.”