'Rare Air': The latest on QB Prescott contract talks with Cowboys - including Dak's greatest 'ability'

'Rare Air': The latest on QB Prescott contract talks with Cowboys - including Dak's greatest 'ability'

FRISCO - Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones likes to say that a football player's most important "ability'' is "avail-ability.'' Mark that down as one more argument in favor of Dak Prescott's new contract being both “imminent'' (yes, still) and up in the "rare air.''

“We’re already up there in rare air in terms of where the money is,” Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said in a Monday interview on SiriusXM. He added that “there’s not a big difference” between where the Cowboys are and where the QB's representatives are in negotiations.

I still believe the Cowboys are comfortable going over $30 million APY, and that Dak's side may be asking for more like $36 million APY. 

“I’m very comfortable,'' with the state of negotiations, Jerry said. "He’s very comfortable.”

An issue that figures to draw both sides nearer: The attrition rate of NFL quarterbacks. Consider:

*Andrew Luck (retired)

*Cam Newton (injured)

*Ben Roethlisberger (out for season)

*Sam Darnold (mono, out)

*Drew Brees (thumb, out)

*Eli Manning (benched)

Meanwhile, Prescott -- in addition to boasting impressive numbers that begin with his 36-16 record as a starter -- boasts this: He's never missed a game. Heck, I don't believe he's ever missed a practice!

"Avail-ability,'' indeed.

We know that dating back to the middle of training camp in Oxnard, Dallas was willing to pay "top-five'' money. As Stephen is now saying, “Any time you get in that top-five area, you think a lot of somebody.”

Earlier this month, the Rams' Jared Goff signed a four-year, $134 million contract extension that included a record $110 million guaranteed. That is being discussed by observers as the new "bar'' for Dak, who had directed Dallas to a 2-0 start with his seven TD passes (first in the NFL), his 142.9 passer rating (third) and his 674 passing yards (third).

Where are the two sides now? I assume Dallas has inched up since that mid-camp time. I also assume that Dak's comments before the Cowboys win at Washington to FOX’s Pam Oliver are meant as a suggestion of compromise as well.

“(Dak) said when all is said and done, he does not necessarily expect to be the highest-paid QB,” Oliver reported. “Prescott said, ‘I’ve never played for money. That’s not what makes me happy.’ He doesn’t think he can ask for those kinds of riches if he hasn’t won a Super Bowl.

“He said his goal is to be the best player ever. And, of course, he wants to attain that status as a Dallas Cowboy.”