Dak Prescott of Dallas Cowboys looking on.(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys are not going to extend the contract of star quarterback Dak Prescott after all.

Heading into the 2024 NFL offseason, an extension for Dak Prescott appeared to be the main priority for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. But in a stunning twist, it appears as though both sides are fine entering next season with no extension.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys have not submitted a contract extension offer to the 30-year-old quarterback. Rapoport added that there’s “no indication” of an extension coming, and that it “clears the path for” Prescott to explore free agency next year.

Prescott is entering the last season of a four-year, $160 million deal he signed in the 2021 offseason after being assigned the franchise tag for 2020.

It’s certainly a surprise development, as Jones always seemed intent on extending his star quarterback. Instead, the Cowboys are taking the same calculated risk that the Minnesota Vikings took with Kirk Cousins last year.

Rather than extend or trade the four-time Pro Bowler, Minnesota was content to let Cousins play out the final year of his contract. He then left for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, leaving Minnesota with no trade compensation and without a reliable QB in place.

Someone Will Pay Dak Prescott In 2025

Whether it’s the Cowboys or another team in free agency (or the rare sign-and-trade deal), Dak Prescott stands to earn well over $200 million on his next NFL contract.

Consider that the Falcons gave Cousins a four-year, $180 million deal despite his age (36), lack of playoff success (one win) and the fact he’s coming off surgery on a torn Achilles he suffered in October. Though Prescott hasn’t fared much better in the playoffs a (2-5) record, he has the Cowboys in annual postseason contention and just posted the best season of his career.

Prescott will be 32 years of age next year and has been a better quarterback than Cousins, so he’ll easily surpass the $180 million that “Captain Kirk” received from Atlanta earlier this month.