Watson would then be under contract for 5 years. Not 4.
You guys continue to make apples and oranges comparisons. Rivers, Brees, etc. Those guys are on their 3rd, 4th contracts. They are a non-comparison to Dak.
The Cowboys are not being unreasonable. They are the reasonable party given Dak's peers and what they have gotten.
Watson is saying, I will give you 8 years of control before seeking my 3rd contract...Dak is saying I will give you 8 years of control before seeking my 3rd contract. I assume Mahomes will want the same. Watson/Mahomes may very well end up signing a deal that gives Houston/Kansas City 9 years of control before they can seek their 3rd contract like Wentz and Goff did...however that is largely driven by Wentz, Goff, Watson, Mahomes being bound by the 5th year team option...Dak is not.
So what is the downside of Dak's contract from Dallas point of view: they don't get an extra year of control...what is the upside to Dak's contract from Dallas point of view: they have paid Dak about $26 million dollars less than Wentz, Goff, Watson, and Mahomes.
So if you want Dak to give up that extra year (and give Dallas an extra year of control)...it SHOULD cost the Cowboys $26 million dollars. Give Dak an extra $26 million guarantee...and THEN Dak would truly be in line with his peers at the end of their second contracts.
Dak is not giving up a year of control for nothing. Dallas needs to pay for it...Dallas wants Dak to give up an extra year...for nothing...and Dak is RIGHTFULLY refusing. You gotta pay for it.