Seth Udinski, FISM News
In an NFL offseason ripe with quarterback transactions, the Dallas Cowboys are committing to their franchise quarterback. ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported Monday that six-year veteran signal-caller Dak Prescott signed a four-year deal for $160 million with “America’s Team.” The contract includes a record $126 million guaranteed, as well as a record $66 million signing bonus.
Prescott will become one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. Over the first three years of his contract, he will make roughly $42 million per year. In professional sports, few positions come under as much media scrutiny as the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Now, with a sensational new contract, Prescott will be at the center of the football world.
Prescott’s career has been dazzling, befuddling, and heartbreaking at various times. He broke into the league in 2016 and replaced another media darling at quarterback in Dallas, Tony Romo. Prescott had a brilliant rookie season, leading the Cowboys to a 13-3 record, an NFC East division title, and home field advantage in the NFC playoffs. He was outstanding in his first playoff game against the underdog Green Bay Packers, but the Cowboys fell short in a stunning 34-31 loss.
Prescott regressed in his second season as Dallas missed the playoffs, but in 2018 he led them to another NFC East division title and a win in the first round of the playoffs. In 2019, the Cowboys were loaded with talent and once again heavily favored to win the weak NFC East. Prescott’s play, however, collapsed in December, and the Cowboys lost the division and a playoff berth to an injury-riddled Philadelphia Eagles. In 2020, Prescott started the season as one of the top statistical quarterbacks in the NFL. Midway through the season, he suffered a horrific ankle injury and missed the remainder of the year as the Cowboys fell short of the playoffs again.
Prescott is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league. He is strong, mobile both in and out of the pocket, and often plays his best football in the second half when it matters most. With Prescott back under center and under contract, the Cowboys are once again the likely favorites to win the NFC East. The big question in 2021 will be if he can stay healthy coming back from a gruesome ankle injury.