'I Don't Understand!' Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott Contract Logic Ripped By ESPN Analyst
Dak Prescott's contract situation with the Dallas Cowboys is quickly developing into a dark cloud that could hang over the franchise for the duration of the 2024 season. With the urgent need for success after three 12-5 seasons all ending abruptly in the playoffs, this offseason was going to be a big one for Dallas.
And it has been but for a different reason. There has been no movement on Dak's contract situation despite having a $55 million cap hit, and that has severely limited the Cowboys' ability to strengthen the roster. Ironically, though, it seems it is part of Dallas' plan.
Having Prescott play for a new contract in 2024 is a bold move for the franchise. Their quarterback, who finished second in MVP voting last season and could be seen as a top-10 player at his position, could walk for nothing next offseason.
But perhaps the most eyebrow-raising point is that the Cowboys are asking Prescott to be better than he was last season, with less talent around him.
ESPN's Mina Kimes was a guest on Robert Griffin III's podcast RG3 and the Ones and doesn't understand the situation in Dallas.
"You’re saying Dak Prescott, we’re all in this is it, he needs to prove himself but we’re going to make it harder for him cause we’re not going to upgrade our team," Kimes said. "Two offensive linemen are leaving; our lead running back at the moment is Rico Dowdle. Like, I don’t understand the logic there.”
Jerry Jones' "all-in" comments now resemble a "do more with less" attitude; Prescott has it all to do in 2024 and will have a weaker team to do it with. But that's been their plan all along.
Several starters have left, and the Cowboys' depth also took a hit. Linebacker Eric Kendricks has been the only notable addition, while Dallas as re-signed some of its own with Jourdan Lewis the headliner.
But if the Cowboys truly wanted to be "all-in" in 2024, with the roster (we thought) being Super Bowl caliber, then Jones adding to it with better talent would better signify "all-in."
Now, everything is up in the air as we get closer to the NFL Draft. This could easily be the final year in Dallas for Dak, Mike McCarthy, along with several Cowboys stars, DeMarcus Lawrence, Zack Martin, Brandin Cooks, KaVontae Turpin, and Osa Odighizuwa (all free agents in 2025).
That is nightmare fuel.
While initially, it seemed like a situation like that wouldn't happen, the Cowboys could be about to hit the reset button when it felt like this season was their best chance at ending their infamous Super Bowl drought.
And the logic behind that kind of decision is difficult to comprehend.