Admittedly, Prescott’s four-year, $160 million extension seemed like an overpay at the time. The deal included $126 million guaranteed, and his $66 million signing bonus was the largest in NFL history at the time.
Of course, the sheer girth of Prescott’s deal was the product of the Cowboys regrettably franchise tagging him two years in a row. As a result, they wasted two years as far as getting ahead of the market.
While a number of fans would argue Dak is worth $40 million per year, he could’ve been had in the mid $30s if Dallas played its cards right.
Fast forward to 2023, though, and Prescott’s contract is extremely reasonable relative to market value. His $40 million salary, total contract worth, and total guarantees all rank seventh among quarterbacks as of this writing.
With Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert next up in terms of getting paid, Prescott will only fall lower in the rankings. He could even fall below Daniel Jones, who is reportedly seeking as much as $45 million per year.
Update: #Giants QB Daniel Jones wants more than New York has offered him. Possibly as much as $45 million per year, or more. A source tells Mike Florio.
Jones has recently switched agents, from CAA to Athletes First. pic.twitter.com/HGhG3B1V2h
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 20, 2023
Cowboys’ Dak Prescott clearly isn’t overpaid if Daniel Jones wants $45 million per year.
We’re no fans of the NY Giants, but we’re also not Daniel Jones haters. Despite that, the quarterback has opened himself to criticism from his most ardent supporters with these demands, and all of it is deserved.
A $45 million salary for someone who has just started looking the part of a franchise QB four years into his career is delusional. It would make Jones the fifth-highest paid quarterback in the league, tied with Patrick Mahomes, and ahead of Bills superstar Josh Allen’s $43.005 yearly earnings.
Only Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, and Deshaun Watson have higher salaries than what Jones is reportedly seeking.
Of those four QBs, the Cardinals, Broncos, and even the Browns after Watson’s wonky 2022, are possibly having second thoughts about handing out those contracts, while Rodgers has already stated his willingness to rework his contract if he’s traded.
This isn’t even a case of Jones capitalizing on the market. That luxury resides with Jackson, Burrow, Herbert, and eventually Trevor Lawrence.
According to Mike Florio of PFT, Giants QB Daniel Jones is seeking as much as $45M per year or more in his next contract. #TogetherBlue https://t.co/Vgq7PieWfk
— WBG84 (@WBG84) February 20, 2023
Jones was objectively awesome in 2022 considering the lack of talent he worked with at wide receiver. He led the Giants to their first playoff win since 2012, and set career highs in passing yards, completion percentage, and QBR, and his five interceptions were the fewest among starting quarterbacks.
The Giants acquiescing to Jones’ demands would actually be better for the Cowboys. It would rule out a Saquon Barkely return, and limit the amount of spending New York could do in terms of surrounding Jones with talent.
The franchise tag or a deal in the $33-35 million range seems like the most likely outcome here, but we don’t want to hear another word about Dak being overpaid after Jones asked for Patrick Mahomes money.
That is the only time you’ll see Daniel Jones and Patrick Mahomes in the same sentence, after all.
