Cowboys Cut Dak Prescott Cap Hit From NFL-High $59.4 Million; Contract Extension Next Move?

Dallas Cowboys Cut Dak Prescott Cap Hit Down From NFL-High $59.4 Million; Contract Extension Next Move?

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott have recently engaged in "personal discussions'' regarding his contract negotiations ... and on Sunday night came a "minor move'' that could be part of talks heading in the right direction.

There is no positive update regarding specific advancement in talks that could make the quarterback the highest-paid player in the history of the NFL. But "talking'' helps at least a little ... just as the conversion of a $5 million bonus due Dak helps Dallas gain $4 million of room.

That change is, we’re told, more than a "flip of a switch'' (an automatic conversation), meaning that why Prescott made no real financial sacrifices here (he still gets his money), the change did require negotiation.

That’s good … though it does mean more void years, stretching all the way through 2028 ... meaning the Cowboys are in a sense betting they might get an extension done. 

At the same time, if a true extension was right around the corner, this move would not have been necessary. So the big wait may drag on …

“I feel like we are able to cut and shoot; Dak has been willing to work with us,” Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said late last week. “We’ve had good discussions about him and his contract. He is all in and working with us and we’ve had personal discussions with Dak as well.”

"Personal discussions'' is a possibly important wrinkle that comes just as Prescott himself recently sounded upbeat about the idea of a new “Cowboy for Life” extension.

"It will happen,'' Prescott recently said of the long-planned contract extension intended on smoothing out the bloated $59.4 million cap hit in 2024.

For now? That bloated figure has been carved down to $55.455 million.

"I'm definitely confident," Prescott added. “It helps the team, and it's important for the numbers … It's a process, and both sides understand that. Everything is great. It’ll happen.”

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The Cowboys are presently cap-compliant, of course. But a new deal - maybe at a record $60 million per year - can give Dallas about $20 million more of room to work with in 2024.

Neither side is obliged to move any more. But without a deal, Dallas’ MVP can become a free agent a year from now. Stephen indicated that the Cowboys wish to prevent that.

"We won’t get into timelines, but it is certainly a priority with us,” Jones said of a Prescott extension…. With this bit of cooperation the best the two sides can do for now.