Nowadays, everyone wants to discuss Dak Prescott's high volume of interceptions in 2022. Whether that's defending him or trying to bring him down, it's all that seems to matter to fans of the Dallas Cowboys. 

Perhaps it's that fact or perhaps it's that we've already gone through something similar in 2019 and 2020 but for some reason, we're all seemingly ignoring what should be one of the biggest storylines of the season: Extending Prescott's contract beyond 2024.

Prescott is currently under contract for the next two seasons but an exorbitant cap number of $59.4 million in 2024 will demand some maneuvering. Let's dive in.

Getting one thing out of the way

If you're frustrated about the fact that the Cowboys haven't shown up for a Super Bowl NFC Championship Game in almost 30 years, I understand. But make no mistake about it: Prescott is a good quarterback and the objective of the team should 100% be to stick with him.

Over the last couple of years, Prescott finished 9th in quarterback efficiency (EPA/play + CPOE) as measured by RBSDM.com and 3rd in success rate, trailing only Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. 

Again, the growing frustration is totally fair. But don't let it blind you to thinking that living in the same QB limbo as the Indianapolis Colts have over the last few years (Phillip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan) before drafting Anthony Richardson is better. If you have a Top 10 QB, you try to keep him.

Dak Prescott's impossible cap number

Having established that the Cowboys need to extend Prescott, it's important to note the quarterback's leverage at the moment. While he's confidently said in public that a deal could get overnight, his representatives aren't going to have him sign just any offer put on the table.

With Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson both exceeding the $50 million per year mark this offseason, don't expect Prescott to settle for less. As we've learned time and time again, it's just the way the QB market works. 

A new contract would give the Cowboys enough room to significantly lower the $59.4 cap hit he's set to have in 2024. That number is currently the second highest for that year behind only Deshaun Watson's fully guaranteed deal. Kyler Murray is third on the list with $51 million. Everyone else's cap hits are below $50 million.

In a way, an extension for Prescott will help the franchise in its negotiations with CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, and Micah Parsons when he becomes eligible for a new deal next year. That's where Dak's leverage is.

As we get closer to training camp, this should be a bigger conversation around the Cowboys. While it may not feel as urgent as Lamb's and Diggs' potential extensions, it'll prove as important. The front office has consistently found out that waiting equals paying more.

Once more, it's time to pay Dak. 

Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports