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Is Dak Prescott Really Worth $60 Million Per Year?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Fisher | Last updated Dec 17, 2024 10:58 AM ET

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers - two "crown jewel'' teams in the NFL crown - are in the same boat ... in more ways than one.

Both are 6-8 and not realistic contenders for the final Wild Card berth in the NFL playoffs. So pride and maybe-math aside, it's about time for both clubs to begin looking at 2025.

For the 49ers, that is very much about contract negotiations with their quarterback. And as it relates to Dallas? The San Francisco talks will involve the Cowboys quarterback, too.

Bottom line: Is Brock Purdy as a good as Dak Prescott? Better? Does he deserve a larger deal? A smaller one? Did Purdy lose money this year? Is Dak a lesson in how to avoid paying too much?

Over the weekend, NFL Network inside Tom Pelissero said he expected Purdy to earn as much as Prescott. ... Which means a deal averaging more than $60 million per season.

But some think there is a cautionary tale here: After getting his record deal, Prescott's statistics regressed, he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury and the Cowboys are not a good football team.

Still, analysts like ESPN's Bill Barnwell are predicting that we can forget about $60 million APY. His vision is that Purdy becomes the NFL's first $65 million player.

"If the 49ers pay the going rate for a franchise quarterback next year, they're topping the deal Dak Prescott just inked with the Cowboys, which is north of $60 million per season," Barnwell wrote. "I suggested over the summer a Purdy deal would come in at five years and $325 million, or $65 million per year. That's still the number he and his agents are likely targeting."

As was the case in Dallas, the debate will intensify over whether Purdy "deserves" that kind of money and whether he is, in fact, "elite." The 49ers will have to decide if this poor year - he's been banged up and has thrown only 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions while posting a 94.3 passer rating - is a fluke.

And they will have to decide whether Purdy is as good as Dak. ... and whether that version of "good'' is worth $60 million to $65 million per year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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