Dak Prescott was at Friday night’s gala to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Fund.
But when you’re the quarterback of the Cowboys and you enter the final year of your contract with no meaningful discussions about an extension, questions about your future intrude.
Prescott adroitly addressed his contractual status after expressing how meaningful this event is for himself and Troy Aikman, the honorary co-chairs of the annual fund raiser. He acknowledged negotiations haven’t begun, spoke of being grounded in the moment and sidestepped questions about whether or not he wanted to have a deal in place by the start of the season.
He has bet on himself before, Prescott reminded reporters, and added he was comfortable doing so again.
“I’m not trying to be the highest paid,’’ Prescott said in response to a direct question about his financial expectations.
He paused for two seconds before continuing.
“Necessarily.’’
Aikman is no stranger to negotiations with owner Jerry Jones. He went through several when he was the quarterback of a team that won three Super Bowl titles in four seasons in the 1990s.
That’s why he’s puzzled by where things stand between the Cowboys and Prescott.
“I thought they would have done something with Dak already,’’ Aikman said. “I don’t know if they’re going to or what the game plan is.’’
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (left) shares a laugh with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during a press conference ahead of the Children’s Cancer Fund’s “A Knight to Remember” Gala, on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Hilton Anatole in Dallas. They once again served as the Honorary Chairs for the gala. (Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer)
The Cowboys game plan has come under criticism this offseason. The franchise has bled talent on the free agent market and offset that with only two outside signings. When explaining the club’s largely static approach, Jones consistently cites the need to pay Prescott, receiver CeeDee Lamb and hybrid defensive end Micah Parsons going forward.
Yet discussions on all three fronts are in the embryonic stage at best.
“I’m focused on the moment, on the now,’’ Prescott said in response to if he wants an extension in place before the season is underway. “If the talks begin and the real talks get to happen, sure, we can talk about getting that done.
“But in this case right now, honestly I’m worried about getting better, being better more than I am at this moment. Leaving that up to my agent and Jerry at this point.
“When those talks begin, I’ll be more involved.’’
Prescott is in the final year of a four-year, $160 million contract. His cap hit of $55.45 million this season is the second highest in the NFL behind Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson.
The quarterback said he and Jones “had a great conversation’’ and stressed both men are aligned with the lack of movement at the moment. He’s not surprised.
“I understand where we are,’’ Prescott said. “Jerry has mentioned the same, so there’s not any gray area in that sense.’’
None of this has impacted his publicly stated desire to remain in Dallas.
“I’m focused on here, right now,’’ Prescott said as he prepares for his ninth season with the Cowboys. “Where I am. That’s how I’ve always have been.
“Anytime you’ve (media) asked me, it’s always been about right now. Getting better tomorrow.
“I’ve been in this situation before, so I’m OK. I’m fine in any situation betting on myself or playing this year out.’’
Prescott has taken part in the voluntary offseason program that began at The Star earlier this week. Lamb, who’s in the final year of his rookie deal and seeks an extension, has not.
Related:How much can CeeDee Lamb make Dallas Cowboys pay for the waiting game?
“I’ve been in communication with CeeDee,’’ Prescott said. “That’s there. We’ll get work in, whether it’s him getting into the facility. Maybe a deal gets done.
“If it doesn’t, I guarantee you we’ll still find a lot of time to make sure we’re putting in the work where we feel comfortable.’’
Prescott understands the ramifications of his contract as it’s currently constructed and what an extension would mean for the club going forward. He stressed he wants to put the team in the best situation to succeed.
After speaking with Jones, does he have any fears that his desire to remain with the Cowboys will be difficult to achieve?
“I don’t fear either situation, to be candid,’’ Prescott said. “I love this game and love to play and better myself as a player and my teammates around me.
“Right now, that’s with the Dallas Cowboys. It’s where I want to be, it’s where I am. That’s the focus.
“After the season, we’ll see where we’re at. If the future holds that (he stays in Dallas), then…’’
His voice trails off.
“If not,’’ Prescott said, “we’ll go from there.’’
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (left) and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, serving as Honorary Chairs, share their remark during the Children’s Cancer Fund’s “A Knight to Remember” Gala, on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Hilton Anatole in Dallas. (Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer)
Catch David Moore on Cowboys Happy Hour on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) on Tuesday night at 7 o’clock in April.