Cowboys: 'Hurry Up' And Sign Dak, Says Aikman

“They’re not going to get very far without a franchise quarterback,’’ Aikman says. “They’ve got that in Dak.’’

FRISCO - Troy Aikman is an unabashed fan of Dak Prescott ... and not a fan of the idea of a Dallas Cowboys team without him.

“They’re not going to get very far without a franchise quarterback,’’ Aikman told the Dallas Morning News. “They’ve got that in Dak.’’

The arguments in favor of Prescott are obvious. He is a Pro Bowl-level QB and he is the centerpiece of most everything this franchise does, not just due to the nature of his position but also due to his talents and his personality. He is scheduled to become a free agent next month, with the Cowboys planning to negotiate a long-term deal ... or fall back with yet another franchise tag.

That tag would cost $37.7 million. And how much will Dak cost long-term?

“I think the price tag went up,’’ Aikman said. “I think Dak’s leverage went up after this year.’’

READ MORE: Dak Prescott Signing With Dallas Cowboys Will Take $40M

The chatter is about $40 million APY. The Cowboys and Prescott’s representation, who've danced this dance for two years now, could not agree last offseason despite Dallas offering $35 million APY on a five-year deal.

What will happen after 2021 should Prescott be tagged? 

“I’d be really surprised if he is playing under the franchise tag again this year,’’ Aikman said. “My guess is if he is, that will be the last we see of Dak Prescott (in Dallas).''

The point made there by Aikman - the former Cowboys QB now in the Hall of Fame and working as Fox's lead analyst - is that Dak would walk, as Troy said, “I just can’t imagine that he’s going to feel really good giving an open negotiation to the Cowboys if he’s played two years under the franchise tag.”

But there is another wrinkle to 2022: A third tag is available to the Cowboys ... and Dallas might not want to pay $54 million that year for the right to retain him.

All the more reason, if these two sides want to be together, Aikman believes they should "hurry up.''