Cowboys Called Out Over Dak Prescott Contract Decisions
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
When it comes to quarterbacks being on the hot seat, it's hard to imagine the Dallas Cowboys are looking at Dak Prescott as a potential benching candidate in 2025.
The former fourth-round pick will return under center as the guaranteed starter, coming off a long injury recovery. Although Prescott couldn't get a full season in last year, he left the field with a 3-5 record, throwing for under 2,000 yards and posting his worst passer rating.
There's a bad taste left, and it's caused some questions about his ability to be the guy to get the Cowboys to the NFL's biggest stage.
Read More: Dak Prescott Raves About Dallas Cowboys' Offseason Addition
While listing out the NFL's hot seat rankings for the quarterback position, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio mentioned Prescott. Although he made it clear that Prescott probably isn't actually on the hot seat in Dallas, the reason behind that doesn't have anything to do with his play, however.
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the first half against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the first half against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas."He's probably not on the hot seat, because his $60 million per year contract would wreak havoc on the salary cap if the Cowboys were to cut or trade him," Florio wrote.
"The complication for the Cowboys is that his $45 million salary for 2027 becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2026 league year. They're basically stuck — all because they waited too long to give him his second contract, and then waited too long to give him his third contract."
Reality is striking for Dallas. Prescott will be 35 in 2028, when he's set to make a base salary of $55 million. That's a large investment in the quarterback, and it's really in their best interest to see it through at this point.
Here's the good news for the Cowboys: Prescott's last full season was among his best.
Read More: Dak Prescott Gives Critical Injury Update Before Cowboys' Camp
The eight-game run in 2024 surely wasn't promising, but the 17-game stretch in 2023 involved some league-leading stats for the QB. Prescott completed an NFL-high 410 passes and tossed for 36 touchdowns, which also led the NFL. He threw just nine interceptions after throwing 15 the year prior.
In 2023, the Cowboys achieved a 12-5 record. Prescott completed a career-high 70 percent of his passes for 4,516 yards. He also rushed 55 times for 242 yards and two touchdowns.
With the Cowboys adding another notable weapon in George Pickens, Prescott has plenty to work with in the passing game in 2025. His value might be at its lowest after a rough season, but the Cowboys are unlikely to view Prescott as on the hot seat at this time.
For more New York Giants and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
a minute ago
- USA Today
Cardinals training camp: CB Jaden Davis placed on injured reserve with knee injury
Jaden Davis lands on injured reserve with a knee injury along with Star Thomas. The Arizona Cardinals not only lost one cornerback to a knee injury. They lost two. The team announced that it placed both cornerback Star Thomas V and cornerback Jaden Davis on injured reserve on Sunday. Both suffered knee injuries. Thomas suffered a torn ACL on Friday and is done for the season. Davis exited practice on Thursday. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said Davis "has a possibility of possibly coming back" later in the season. Davis, drafted in the seventh round last year out of Miami, still has not played an NFL game. He spent all last season on the practice squad. The Cardinals filled one of the two vacancies created by the moves to IR by signing cornerback Steven Gilmore. Gilmore is the younger brother of five-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
49ers agree to sign CB Eli Apple
The 49ers are adding an experienced veteran to their defense. Cornerback Eli Apple has agreed to a one-year deal with San Francisco, according to agency Universal Sports and Entertainment Management. Apple, 29, signed with the Chargers' practice squad last October and was promoted to the team's active roster last November. He then missed time with a hamstring injury, leading him to appear in just four games in 2024. In 2023, Apple played 10 games with four starts for the Dolphins, recording an interception and nine passes defensed. A Giants first-round pick in 2016, Apple has played 102 career games with 82 starts for the Giants, Saints, Panthers, Bengals, Dolphins, and the Chargers. He's recorded six career interceptions with 61 passes defensed.
New York Times
32 minutes ago
- New York Times
Nick Bosa has always set an example, but now he's letting 49ers' young DL hear it as well
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Nick Bosa seems like the kind of guy who thinks over things, maybe even has an inner debate with himself, before speaking up. It's worked for the 49ers defensive end, who is now entering Year 7 as a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and one of the trusted playmakers and leaders on a team looking to bounce back from a 6-11 season. Advertisement But Bosa has told himself that he needs to make a change. 'I definitely need to take a leadership role, for sure,' he said. 'It's one thing to come in and work on my job and get better, which is all I've ever really worried about. And then it's another thing to try and bring everybody along with you. 'So it's definitely something that I'm thinking about and something I want to do.' One can see Bosa at training camp practices this past week, talking to younger players between snaps. First-round pick Mykel Williams not only gets to watch and follow Bosa in drills, but also gets feedback when he is done. 'I mean it's just friendly banter, but some of it is constructive criticism,' Bosa said. 'Obviously, it's fun to watch a young guy just go through the growing pains that I went through — and anything that I see I'm going to help them with.' Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Bosa's leading by example already speaks volumes. 'He doesn't really need to talk,' Saleh said. 'If I'm a young rookie walking into a building and I want to know what it's supposed to look like day in and day out to prepare myself, to prepare my mind, my body to be one of the best players in football, I just go watch him. Watch how he prepares, watch how he takes care of his body, watch how he works out, rehabs, whatever he's doing. 'It is pedal to the metal and he's rolling. He doesn't have to say a word.' But Saleh said that Bosa is speaking up more this camp, and teammates are appreciating the extra tip here and there. Coach Kyle Shanahan agreed that Bosa is stepping out of his comfort zone a little more. 'He doesn't vary out of his personality very much,' Shanahan said. 'But I do think he talks to those guys more, and he knows he can help guys and when he sees spots that he can help guys with, he doesn't hesitate.' Advertisement Bosa has been impressed with Williams, who can set the edge or rush the passer from the outside, and also bounce inside. 'Mykel's looked really good,' Bosa said. 'He is very physical and he has a big reach, so he just needs to hone in obviously on his aiming points and trusting the system.' 49ers left tackle Trent Williams thinks the rookie has great resources in defensive line coach Kris Kocurek and Bosa. 'I think he has a chance to be dominant,' Trent Williams said. 'He has the best coach in the league coaching him. Gets to learn from some of the best, from obviously Nick. I'm happy to see how he turns out. I think he has all the tools to be an All-Pro. 'Obviously, going against Nick, we feed off each other so much. And he makes me better. I like to feel like I make him better. He keeps me engaged. He keeps me working on myself, because nobody likes to get embarrassed — and not in a mean way, but yeah, he would embarrass me if I let him.' Williams just turned 37 and is thankful that he keeps putting off retirement talk as long as he holds up against Bosa in practice. 'It's always good going against Nick, one of my better friends on the team, but (also) one of the best players in the league, and being able to size yourself up against him,' Williams said. 'Especially me going into (Year) 16 and not knowing where that cliff is. When I get to go against Nick, it kind gives me a good measuring stick.' Bosa is looking forward to the pads going on for the first time Monday, and helping some of the young defensive linemen make a name for themselves. 'I think we have a lot of talent,' he said. 'I think when you look out on the field, you see NFL bodies out there that look impressive, which is a good thing. Obviously, we're young, but I think, I mean, just because nobody knows them now, they play a good couple games, then the whole world knows them, so it'll be exciting.' Advertisement Bosa, Trent Williams and RB Christian McCaffrey were given veteran rest days on Sunday. That was the plan with tight end George Kittle as well, but he opted to partake as a helmeted cheerleader/assistant coach/choreographer. Later on Sunday, third-year DL Tarron Jackson was carted off the practice field on a stretcher. Shanahan said after practice that Jackson was conscious and communicating and had feeling in his extremities. He was sent to Stanford Hospital to get further testing. … Shanahan said WR Jauan Jennings left practice early with a calf issue. … Cornerback Renardo Green and WR Jacob Cowing will be out 2-3 weeks with hamstring injuries, Shanahan said. … The 49ers activated WR Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) off the PUP list and he returned to practice atop the team's depth chart, along with Jennings. 'I think he got like eight reps today, but we'll see how he did with recovery and stuff,' Shanahan said. 'But I didn't hear any complaints and it was a good first day back.' … This kicker battle between Jake Moody and Greg Joseph is legit but I'm still not charting kicks in July. Moody did miss one from 50-plus yards out, while Joseph nailed his from that distance. (Photo of Bosa and Mykel Williams: D. Ross Cameron / Imagn Images)
