Dallas Cowboys franchise tagging Dak Prescott would be a critical mistake
The Price is Only Getting Higher
If the Cowboys think Prescott would be getting paid too much at his current market value, what makes them think he’ll be any cheaper next offseason? Currently, the franchise tag is projected to be worth $33 million. An average of the annual salaries of the top five quarterbacks makes up the amount of the tender, which includes recent extensions such as Carson Wentz’s four-year, $128 million deal and Jared Goff’s four-year, $134 million deal.
Given how every quarterback demands to be the highest-paid on the market, it makes sense Prescott would want to see a larger contract than his 2016 draft class rivals.
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If the Cowboys wait until next offseason, the price for Prescott’s contract will skyrocket. Multiple quarterbacks are expected to receive sizable deals in free agency, which will raise the market value of the position. Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Jameis Winston could all see an extensive increase in their Average Annual Value (AAV), as Spotrac has given them market values of $33.8 million, $36.5 million and $26.7 million, respectively.
The 2017 quarterback draft class is eligible for extensions this offseason, meaning Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson could both set records in guaranteed money, total cash and average salary. Even veteran quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins and Cam Newton will be in line for new deals next offseason and demand to be compensated for their current below-market deals.
With multiple signal-callers coming up for contract extensions, the market price for a quarterback will assuredly surpass $40 million per year by this time next season. Even though Prescott has not done as well statistically as Mahomes or Watson, he will still command an equal or higher salary. Goff and Wentz aren’t at the level of Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, but since their deals were expiring, they had leverage and received more guaranteed money.
If the Cowboys are going to retain Prescott, franchising him and waiting until next season to commit to a long-term deal will prove to be more expensive than simply extending him right now. The guaranteed money they will pay him this season will pale in comparison to the amount of money he will command next season. If the Cowboys want Prescott around for the long haul, they should pay him now before the next quarterback breaks the market.