As reported earlier this week, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott turned down an extension offer of five years worth an estimated $175 million. Dak turning down the extension poses more questions that will be covered later on in this article. But first………
I personally do not believe that Dak is worth that much. Nor do I believe he is worth more than that. My opinion is that he is the beneficiary of a system with talent around him making him appear better than he is. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Pick #135 to be exact.
He went to a team that had a Pro Bowl wideout in Dez Bryant. After Dez was Amari Cooper and this year’s draftee, CeeDee Lamb. He has always had a great offensive line. Not to mention they had already used their fourth overall pick on some running back named Ezekiel Elliott. Oh yeah, Jason Witten was still there also, a future hall of fame tight end.
Perhaps I will be proven wrong in the coming years, if he ends up not re-signing with Dallas and goes elsewhere, I don’t see him having similar success with a different team. I feel he was stupid to turn down that much money.
The Other Issues Mentioned Earlier
Dak turning down the extension perhaps is a blessing in disguise for Dallas. I say that for one reason: In recent years, it seems alot of NFL teams that have either won the Super Bowl or are in great position to make a run at it have a quarterback still on his rookie deal. A few examples that come to mind:
2013 Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson was in his second year in the league when they demolished the potent Denver offense 43-8.
2018 Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz was in year three of his career, albeit he was injured and Nick Foles led that playoff run.
2019 LA Rams: Jared Goff was in his third year in the league when his team lost to New England in the big game.
2020 KC Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes was also in year three when they defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the most recent edition of the Super Bowl.
The Baltimore Ravens are in a good position to contend for the next few seasons and possibly beyond. They have Lamar Jackson under center who will be entering his third NFL season. On his rookie deal still.
Of course there is and are exceptions to the rule. Most notably Tom Brady and his time with New England. He often took less money and/or restructured his deals to allow more cap space for the Pats to sign better talent to still be able to contend.
Salary Cap (Is What I Was Getting At)
The NFL team salary cap for the 2019 NFL season was approximately $190 million. Why is this important? Even though teams often exceed this number, it is alot easier as an NFL general manager to manage this number when your quarterback does not take up 20 percent of this number by himself.
You have 53 men to pay a total of roughly $190 million, without exceeding the cap. When one of them by himself makes $35 million or so, that’s a huge chunk of the overall total. We all know that the quarterback position is arguably the most important to a team’s success. That’s why they are given the most moolah.
When it comes time to renegotiate a new contract for your quarterback, he may very well have earned it. That being said, you also take away funds to better your team at the other positions. I’m not saying you still can’t contend with a $30-plus million a year quarterback. To me, I feel it lessens those chances of bringing home a Lombardi Trophy to your team and city.
I am by no means a general manager, or an accountant. I think I am good with numbers, however. Those guys make alot of money to figure out ways to exceed the cap and still limit the excess taxes they have to pay, also while trying to contend and put the best team on the field that they can.
If you have differing opinions then myself, please follow me on twitter @TonySutcliffe6. Also be sure to read our other NFL and other articles here at bellyupsports. Enjoy !!
