Hall of Famer believes Cowboys shouldn't extend QB Dak Prescott

A former Cowboys star believes the franchise shouldn't give quarterback Dak Prescott a contract extension.

"At this point, I probably wouldn't," Hall of Famer and all-time leading NFL rusher Emmitt Smith said Monday on ESPN's "UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio." "I think there are other positions on the football field that we need to have."
 
Prescott has two years remaining on his deal, which includes a potential out in 2024 that will incur $61.915M in dead cap if activated. Spotrac projects his market value is a four-year deal worth $48.4M annually, good for fifth in the NFL.

This season, his play hasn't merited a monster extension yet. In five games, the eighth-year QB has thrown five TDs, four interceptions and has an above-average passer rating of 87.5. Not terrible, but not astounding. Also, as any Cowboys fan will be painfully aware, he's 2-4 in the playoffs.

Along with Prescott, other stars are up for extensions over the next two seasons, such as linebacker Micah Parsons and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys can't afford to pay all of them. The franchise is projected to be $10.714M under the cap in 2024, per Spotrac.

The Cowboys are coming up on a few difficult decisions very soon. Since Prescott isn't one of the most elite QBs in the league right now, Dallas may move on.  

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently told KRLD-FM in Dallas that Prescott is "the quarterback that can take us where we want to go," yet he seemingly doubts the QB. In August, he traded a fourth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, without consulting his football staff.

It's clear that Prescott faces some pressure. If he wants to quell critics and prove he's a franchise QB worthy of a long-term extension, he must raise his game.