Most of the conversations around the quarterback market this offseason center on a few names. Deshaun Watson is obviously the biggest. His departure from Houston feels like a matter of time. Carson Wentz seems like the next domino to fall in Philadelphia once the Eagles get an offer they can stomach. Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota are also rumored to be available for the right prices. One person who hasn’t gotten a lot of press time? Dak Prescott.
This is somewhat surprising since he is the only noteworthy name who actually becomes a free agent this March. However, the NFL media seems relatively certain that if the Dallas Cowboys don’t secure him to a long-term extension, they’ll just franchise tag him for a second time. Except plenty of sources around Dallas hint this approach carries risks.
Todd Archer hinted that a second tag all but confirms no long-term deal happens.
So either Dallas will have Prescott play out one more season and let him walk in 2022. Or they could use the rare tag-and-trade scenario, sending the Pro Bowler to another team for a pair of 1st round picks. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has done nothing to feed such rumors but he doesn’t have to. People can see the writing on the wall at this point.
Yet the narrative took another interesting turn. Dallas radio host Mike Bacsik talked on 105.3 The Fan about the entire Prescott situation. He suggested that Prescott endured complications with his recovery from his broken ankle suffered during last season. Complications that required a second surgery to fix.
Bacsik thinks that there is a possibility the Cowboys not only fail to sign the QB long-term. They may actually end up rescinding the tag in June once they confirm some medical information about his recovery, making him an official free agent.
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The Dak Prescott situation is a messy one
Dallas ownership remains firmly optimistic that the two sides will get a deal done eventually. Yet the divide remains. No new contract has happened and doesn’t appear any closer than it did a year ago. Barring a sudden shift in direction, the Cowboys will be forced to use the tag for a second time. If that happens, everybody is convinced the quarterback will leave. Similar to what happened with Kirk Cousins in Washington a few years ago.
There is no way the Cowboys will tag him a third time, which would cost $52 million. That means they either meet Prescott’s price, trade him, or let him play out the year in 2021. All the while beginning their search for his eventual replacement. For a team like the Chicago Bears, this at least opens the door a little wider for an opportunity. Dak Prescott is exactly the sort of proven veteran they’re looking to score.
Would Ryan Pace offer two 1st rounders for him?
Considering his job is on the line, that isn’t a hard stretch. The difficult part wouldn’t be making that offer to Dallas. It would be whether the Bears could convince Prescott to sign long-term. It’s obvious he believes he should be one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. Would Chicago approach that $40 million per year level for him? It’s a tough question to answer.