Can Dak's Cowboys Offense - All Signed - Live Up To Hype?
Deal? Done. Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have their man.
The Cowboys agreed to terms with quarterback Dak Prescott Monday evening that will keep him through 2024. The deal is worth a max of $164 million, with a $40 million APY salary.
And guess what? That means Dallas' entire key offensive player is now under contract.
FULL STORY: Dak Deal Done!
Dallas was able to avoid the franchise tag for a second season, which was reportedly expected to be $37.7 million. Instead, the "Cowboy for Life" narrative will live on at The Star at least for another four seasons.
In a tug-o-war of two years, Prescott walks away the winner. In the end, he's earned the contract after substantial production for a fourth-round pick back in 2016.
He'll now need to prove the offense can carry the load. ... because they are all being paid to do so.
Prescott now joins the long list of offensive players who will earn top dollar in 2021. Names like Amari Cooper, La'el Collins, Ezekiel Elliott and Tyron Smith need to live up to contract status in 2021.
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Cooper's numbers were sound in 2020 (92 catches, 1114 yards, five touchdowns), but the touchdown production was his lowest since joining the team. Was that due to the quarterback conundrum? Poor offensive line? Both?
It doesn't matter. For an APY of $20 million, it's expected that Cooper will lead the team in double-digit touchdowns. He finished tied for the lead with rookie CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup with five.
Elliott, who will continue on his six-year, $90 million deal, best hope for better numbers. He tied his career worst in fumbles (six), and averaged a mere four yards per run last season.
The offensive line's only excuse is the injury bug bit the entire unit. Smith played in two games while Collins missed the entire season. Zach Martin missed six games and shuffled from guard to tackle while Travis Fredrick called it a career the season before.
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Dallas' attention must turn to defense this NFL Draft season. Prescott's contract - sliced down in terms of 2021 cap impact to about $22.5 million, per a source - leaves but a little wiggle room to add any significant name to a struggling secondary.
Twice the Cowboys' offense finished top-five in total yards with Prescott at the helm. Entering Week 5, the 27-year-old led the NFL in passing yards with 1,856 and a career-high 68% completion rating.
The offense could return all 11 projected starters for 2021. The success found in 2019 with the No. 1 ranked unit will need to return. Now that everyone is paid, it's time to show why.
The final offensive piece has been paid. Now, the production must match. With the offense all under contract, it's time to start living up to those deals ... otherwise, it was all for nothing.
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