How does Jared Goff's extension affect Dak Prescott's contract negotiations?

Don't bet on the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott reaching a contract extension after Jared Goff reset the market on Monday.

The Detroit Lions gave Goff a four-year, $212M deal with $170M guaranteed, making him the second-highest-paid QB in the league behind Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow ($55M AAV).

Prescott is entering the final year of a four-year, $160M contract. Although he recently told the media he doesn't "necessarily" want to be the highest-paid player in the league, he probably wants more than Goff. In 17 games last season, Prescott led the league in passing TDs (36) and finished second in MVP voting behind Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson.  

The Cowboys could use Prescott's postseason record (2-5) against him in contract negotiations, but he still has more leverage. His deal contains a no-tag and no-trade clause, meaning he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2025. Several QB-needy teams would be interested in the three-time Pro Bowler.

Extending Prescott, 30, would lower his 2024 cap hit ($55.455M), giving the Cowboys more cap room. They could use this to offer wide receiver CeeDee Lamb — entering the final year of his rookie contract — an extension. 

Unlike Detroit, Dallas has procrastinated this offseason, meaning it may not reach a deal with either star.

"[The Cowboys are] in the same spot Detroit was with Goff, [wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown] and [offensive tackle Penei] Sewell," an agent told Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson. "Detroit did the work and got it moving and Dallas is just watching the prices go up. … They're an entire year late on a couple deals."

Unless the Cowboys go on a deep playoff run and give Prescott a new deal next offseason, expect both parties to move on. In his way-too-early 2025 mock draft, CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso has the Cowboys taking Houston QB Donovan Smith (pick No. 25) as a potential replacement for Prescott.