By Jordan Long
The Dallas Cowboys will have a major decision looming once the season is over. Quarterback Dak Prescott is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the year.
Prescott has been the starting quarterback for the Cowboys for the past 5 years. His record is 42-27. Prescott passed for 17,634 yards and 106 touchdowns. He is careful with the football and won’t force the football into double coverage with only 40 interceptions. Dallas advanced to the playoffs twice with him. The furthest they went was the Divisional Round.
This season Prescott suited up in the Cowboys’ first 5 games of the year. Dallas went 2-3 in those games. Prescott tossed for 1,856 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. He was lost for the season in week 5 against the New York Giants. Dallas was up 24-23 with 6:44 left in the 3rd quarter. Prescott tried to run for a first down and was brought down awkwardly on his foot. He ended up with a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle which required surgery. Dallas won the game 37-34.
The Cowboys can look to the offseason with him. They have a few options with Prescott. They can sign him to a long-term deal. Dallas may have around $34 million in cap space depending on which players they let go in the offseason. That is not enough to keep Prescott and improve the team especially if Prescott wants $20 to $25 million a year.
The next option is to franchise him again. He has been franchised twice and teams are allowed to franchise the same player 3 times. Prescott would be one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the league, but it buys time for Dallas to reach a new contract with him.
The final option is to let him test free agency. The Cowboys might lose him to another team but it may be the best choice. They don’t have much cap space to negotiate a contract and Prescott would have a fresh start. The only quarterback on the roster signed through 2021 is rookie Ben DiNucci. Dallas would then be able to sign a veteran quarterback. Those available might be Tyrod Taylor, Mitchell Trubisky, and Jamies Winston. If they have a high draft pick, they can always select one.
Dallas will do what is best for the franchise moving forward. Right now they need to focus on finishing the season. They are still in the race for the NFC East title sitting at 2-7. The Eagles lead the division at 3-5-1. Once the year is over, then decide on Prescott.
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