Cowboys 'Focused On Dak,' Not Russell Wilson Trade - Source

In the Cowboys' view, aware as they are of the eight-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion QB's desires, it would also be silly to take their eyes off the Dak ball

FRISCO - It is a mistake to view Russell Wilson's trade-destination wishes as "silly.'' He himself (via his agent) announced his interest in the Dallas Cowboys. That's real enough.

But in the Cowboys' view, aware as they are of the eight-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion QB's desires, it would also be silly to take their eyes off the ball ...

That ball being the ongoing negotiations with their own quarterback, Dak Prescott’s approval.

The Cowboys front office is "focused on Dak,'' a source close to the negotiations tells CowboysSI.com, a position that is respectful, honest ... and realistic, given the hoops and red tape that would have to be navigated for a trade of this sort to actually occur.

The short version of those hoops:

*Prescott would need to sign his tag tender

*Prescott would have to OK being dealt to Seattle

*Seattle would have to negotiate a new deal with Prescott (technically, the pre-trade contract would be done with Dallas)

*Seattle and Dallas would have to agree on a trade price. (How many picks would the Cowboys have to include?)

*Dallas would get Wilson, on an affordable three more years on his deal - while hoping he doesn't slip into the conversation a desire to be given a fat extension.

And the biggest one ... 

*The Seahawks would not only have to pay Dak his new deal (let's call it $41.5 million APY. They'd also have to continue "paying'' on Wilson's contract, as Seattle would "owe the cap'' another $39 million.

There is a great deal of misunderstanding here with theories of how to use June 1 to escape that commitment. But know this: Seattle would owe $39 million. It can split that commitment with a post-June 1 move, but it would still owe the cap $13 million in 2021 and $26 million in 2022.

So Seattle would lose its best player while "paying'' the QB position $54.5 million in 2021 (Dak's salary plus Wilson's cap) and $67.5 million in 2022 (Dak's salary plus Wilson's cap) ... totaling $122 million over the next two seasons.

That is untenable.

Wilson, 32, put the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints on his wish list as well. There might be ways for those teams to do this, just as there are ways for Dallas to do it.

READ MORE: Seahawks QB Russell Wilson Lists Dallas

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But there is not an affordable way for Seattle to do it.

It's the Cowboys' job to remain plugged in here, and if the Seahawks truly cannot salvage their relationship with Wilson, maybe they eat all that money. But Dallas' views its primary obligation as working on Prescott, on getting away from the $37.7 million franchise tag, and on creating a long-term contract with the 27-year-old that makes it affordable for the Cowboys to buy Prescott some roster help.

That's what Dak says he wants. That's what the Joneses say they want. So that's where the focus remains.

CONTINUE READING: Cowboys 'Hopeful' As Talks Open With Dak Prescott