Report: Cowboys will franchise tag Dak Prescott if they don't reach new deal

The Dallas Cowboys will not let Dak Prescott hit free agency this offseason, regardless of how contract negotiations go.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys will franchise tag Prescott if no long-term deal is reached before the March 9 deadline to designate players with a one-year tender. Pelissero and Rapoport add that the Cowboys "will make a push" to sign Prescott to a long-term extension, even though the franchise tag is on the table. 

If Prescott signs the one-year tender for the 2021 campaign, he will earn $37.7 million. 

The 27-year-old is recovering from surgery to repair the compound fracture and dislocated ankle he suffered during Week 5 against the New York Giants. Prior to suffering the injury, Prescott was 2-3, completing 68% of his passes for 1,856 yards and nine touchdowns against four interceptions. He also had 93 yards and three touchdowns rushing. 

According to Pelissero and Rapoport, the Cowboys have no medical concerns about Prescott's ankle. In January, Rapoport said that Dallas believes the quarterback is "going to come back better than ever."