Jerry Jones’ latest comments paint ominous future for Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is just 30 years old, a two-time Pro Bowler, a former Offensive Rookie of the Year and he has a 61-36 record as a starter in the NFL.
So owner Jerry Jones has plenty of reasons to want Prescott to be a part of the team’s long-term future. But following Jones’ remarks after trading for former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance over the weekend, Prescott’s status with the Cowboys is anything but certain beyond this year.
"Well [Lance] gives us an opportunity to—at a level that we probably had never gone in the draft—to work and develop a young quarterback," Jones told reporters on Saturday. "…We [wouldn’t let San Francisco] even get off the phone because we wanted him to get him in here. Not in any way to be confused that we're not betting on our success on Dak. We just need to—the Dallas Cowboys, where we can—be developing the best that we can develop for the future for quarterbacks."
Given Prescott’s age, the tread on his tires (his 97 games played are eighth-most among active starting QBs) and his contract status, the Cowboys were looking at drafting his possible successor next year.
The Mississippi State alum is in the third year of a four-year, $160 million contract. His 2023 cap hit is $28.6 million, and the Cowboys can get out of the final year of his contract next offseason but they’ll take a $61.9M dead cap hit, per Spotrac.
Prescott has missed 17 games over the last three seasons, and his performance in 2022—he threw a career-high 15 interceptions and logged his worst passer rating and fewest passing yards per game since 2017—has only ratcheted up the pressure he’s under and raised questions about the team’s commitment to him beyond his current contract.
In Lance, the Cowboys now have a developmental QB who just turned 23 in May, is under contract for only $940,000 this year and $5.3M next year, and has a potential fifth-year option if the team wants to use it.
"The minute that we knew that they were serious about trading [Lance], then we didn't want the phone to hang up,” Jones added. “…We felt good about what we've seen, tape that he's had since he's been in the NFL. And it's one that we made the decision almost the minute we heard the name. Let's get him."
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