The Facts: The Cowboys have the best bargain in football this season, paying Prescott only a $630,000 base salary. Prescott’s per year average of $680,000 ranks only 74th among NFL quarterbacks. The Cowboys, though, know what is coming. As a fourth-round pick in 2016, Prescott is eligible for new deal after this season. And he will get one. Jerry Jones already promised an “extraordinary contract” for Prescott, and the record five-year, $150 million deal Matt Ryan signed last week only ups the ante.
Diehards Line:
Prescott is coming off an up-and-down sophomore season that followed a Pro Bowl rookie year. He unquestionably faces a pivotal third season this fall. But Dallas believes he is its franchise QB for a long time to come. He is eligible to receive a contract extension after the 2018 season, even though his four-year rookie contract extends through 2019. “Yeah, you know at that position, it kind of is what it is,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Wednesday. “You kind of, when the time comes, [expect to pay him]. ... We’ve got that planned in our budgeting for the salary cap." With Bryant's release and the retirement last week of 15-year tight end Jason Witten, the Cowboys are Prescott's team more than ever before. Soon, they'll be paying him as such.