Dallas, Prescott agree to deal
Dak Prescott had said he wanted to be a Cowboy for life. The Cowboys had insisted there was no moving forward without Prescott. And yet negotiations lasted for more than two years.
Until Monday.
Prescott and the Cowboys agreed to a four-year deal worth $160 million with $126 million guaranteed, two people with knowledge of the contract confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Monday. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms had not been publicly announced. Prescott could earn up to $164 million in four years, and the deal includes notrade and no-tag clauses. Thus Prescott could return to the negotiating table as soon as three years from now. At that point, he’ll be just 30.
The deal is worth a max of $164 million, two people with knowledge said. With an NFL-record $66 million signing bonus, Prescott is set to earn $75 million in 2021 – one year after he played out a $31.4 million franchise tag. Over his first three years, he’ll earn an average of $42 million a year. Strictly speaking, the deal will span six years but void to four to maneuver accounting of Prescott’s hefty signing bonus.
Only Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who signed a 10-year extension worth $450 million last July, will play on a contract with a higher annual salary or guarantee than Prescott.
The Cowboys announced generally Monday that the deal had been reached, with a more detailed news announcement scheduled for Wednesday. Prescott is expected to address reporters then.
Prescott was off to his best statistical season in 2020, averaging 371.2 passing yards per game, when a designed run went awry and he suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his ankle. Prescott hasn’t played since.