Dak, Dallas at crossroads over contract

The Cowboys need to get it done. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and the team have yet to reach a mutual contract due to the disputed length of the deal. I say the Boys should give Prescott what he wants.

Prescott wants to sign a 4-year contract, but the Cowboys want him to sign on for five years. Prescott signed a $31.4 million exclusive franchise tender on June 21. He is locked in for the 2020 season.

The parties have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal or will face having to wait until next year to try negotiations again. It has not yet been officially turned down by Prescott, but the Cowboys have offered Prescott a 5-year deal worth $175 million ($35 million per year).

Prescott is coming off a strong season in which he threw for 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns. Each passing stat was a career high for the former Mississippi State standout. The Cowboys were first in the NFL in yards from scrimmage.

For those Prescott haters stating that he had Ezekiel Elliott to pad his numbers, Prescott’s quarterback rating with Zeke on the field was 70.3 and with Zeke off the field, 71.3.

He is pretty good under pressure too, with a QBR of 33.6, which is well above the 21.2 NFL average. Some quarterbacks who rate below Prescott in this category are Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan.

The reason the Cowboys want to sign him for five years to better amortize their salary cap. At $35 million a year, Prescott’s proposed salary could take up as much as 22 percent of the Cowboys’ cap. So what. Pay the man.

Being a quarterback is demanding. Quarterbacks read defenses, pass, hand the ball off, run, convey the plays to the offense and handle snaps, among other things. Many players, coaches and fans agree that it is the hardest position in football. Finding a good quarterback in the NFL can be a daunting task.

I hope the Cowboys realize what they have and just give Prescott the 4-year deal that he has been wanting.