Dallas Cowboys: Can next 4 years define Dak Prescott's legacy?
The Dallas Cowboys' relationship with Dak Prescott overcame an important obstacle this week. After five years as the Cowboys' starting quarterback, it was not yet clear Prescott would stick around in the long run. Playing under the franchise tag in 2020 only increased doubts regarding his future in Dallas. After all, the only two quarterbacks […]
The Dallas Cowboys' relationship with Dak Prescott overcame an important obstacle this week. After five years as the Cowboys' starting quarterback, it was not yet clear Prescott would stick around in the long run. Playing under the franchise tag in 2020 only increased doubts regarding his future in Dallas. After all, the only two quarterbacks to play under the tag before Dak ended up breaking up with their original teams.
But finally, after years of negotiation, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys have a deal.
And although the deal is a four-year contract, it feels like the kind of contract that says "franchise quarterback." With a no-trade clause and a no-tag clause, the Cowboys and Dak are making sure next time they have to sit down to talk business, things go more smoothly.
Wednesday's press conference was a glimpse into what's next for the Dallas Cowboys and Prescott's career. As Dak sat down between Jerry and Stephen Jones to talk to the press, he stopped being the young, up-and-coming quarterback. In some way or another, that's how Cowboys Nation has looked at him since he took the league by storm in 2016.
Now, with a contract worth $160 million, Prescott is reaching the most important years of his career. Common football belief has it that a quarterback peaks near this thirties. By then, a quarterback still has great physical skills which are complemented with experience earned from years being under center in the NFL.
Dak will be 28-years-old when the 2021 season kicks off and based on what we witnessed last year prior to his injury, we're about to see the best version of himself. Not to mention, he's the unquestionable leader of the Cowboys.
Jerry Jones talked about what Roger Staubach told him when Jerry asked him for his thoughts on having a mobile quarterback versus a pocket passer. "Get someone who the players will follow." It's impossible to believe Dak is not that guy, especially when you think about his teammates' reactions when he was being carted off the field last October.
Of course, Prescott is well aware of it. So much that when he was asked if there was more pressure on him now due to the contract, he didn't hesitate. "Pressure is privilege," he said.
What Dak Prescott achieves in the next four years will probably define his legacy. Surely he'll be playing at a high level beyond this contract, but the thing is he has a great offense to command right now. It's easy to feel optimistic in the offseason, but the Cowboys are convinced they have the man that will take them back to the Super Bowl.
With an elite set of wide receivers, a solid offensive line, and Kellen Moore calling the plays, the Cowboys will pick up right where they left off last season when averaging over 30 points per game.
Of course, the Dallas Cowboys are not the favorites to win it all next season. They still have a long way to go. They need to prove they're a team capable of being constantly in the playoffs like the other great teams in the NFL.
But this week, as Jerry Jones said in the press conference, the Cowboys won. Team building is way easier when you have a quality quarterback. The Cowboys have theirs. And this time, for more than one season.
Featured Image Via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
