Cowboys/Dak contract impasse

[NeathBlue]

I HAVE watched the last 4 seasons. From being shielded by the best o-line in the NFL, to having Zeke to draw the attention of the defenses, Dak has steadily played well but not able to lead the Cowboys through the tough times.
Hence the losses each year that keep the Cowboys from being elite.
But at this point he should be the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. He's been there for 4 years and has not cost them games. He knows the system and protects the ball. He is a momentum driven player that plays well when the Cowboys have the momentum.
And Kellen Moore will keep his vision simple, so that he can excel.
But when times get tough- like against the Patriots, for example- will he have the mental toughness to stare down Belichick's defense and co tune to any well?

Really? I remember you on another forum a few years back saying you were done with the Cowboys and that you were going to be watching the Minnesota Vikings because they were so well coached and run

 

[Doomsday101]

Not sure what games you have been watching.....wow.

I agree, there have been games Dak has not played great in and yet manages to produce plays that have helped this team win.

 

[AbeBeta]

Well, that's exactly what they did for everyone else, including Zeke. Smart move by the Cowboys. Dak, as you said, would not be smart to take it. Zeke took it because it was more important to have the image of being the highest paid running back than to actually see the money.

The Cowboys are structuring contracts such that there is guaranteed money in the first 3 or 4 years, lower salaries, then enormous salaries that the players will never see from years 5 to 7 that make the "average per year" seem higher and let the player brag about being highest paid.

Genius, I say.

Zeke's isn't back loaded as much as this proposed deal is.

 

[Direwolf63]

I HAVE watched the last 4 seasons. From being shielded by the best o-line in the NFL, to having Zeke to draw the attention of the defenses, Dak has steadily played well but not able to lead the Cowboys through the tough times.
Hence the losses each year that keep the Cowboys from being elite.
But at this point he should be the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. He's been there for 4 years and has not cost them games. He knows the system and protects the ball. He is a momentum driven player that plays well when the Cowboys have the momentum.
And Kellen Moore will keep his vision simple, so that he can excel.
But when times get tough- like against the Patriots, for example- will he have the mental toughness to stare down Belichick's defense and co tune to any well?

Lots of QB's struggle against Belichek's defense.

Like ALL of them. Not a fair measuring stick.

 

[john van brocklin]

NOTE: The dollar figures in this post are pure speculation.

Apparently, the impasse in the negotiations between the Dallas Cowboys and the negotiating team for Dak Prescott is as much about the length of the contract as it is about money. The Cowboys want a 7 year deal, which would keep Dak in Dallas through the 2026 season - matching the length of Ezekiel Elliott's current contract commitment. Dak's team wants a 4 year extension,which would keep Dak undercontract through the 2023 season.

A 7 year deal would undoubtedly be in excess of $200M, but Dak's team of negotiators doesn't want to lock him in that long, prefering to get another bite at the negotiating apple in about 4 years, after which time starting salaries for QB's may have escalated even further.

If the Cowboys are going to get Dak Prescott to agree to a 7 year deal, they are likely going to have to escalate his salaries in years 5-7 to the point that his team is comfortable locking him in that long. For example, if the Cowboys match the Goff or Wentz deals for the first 4 years (avg $32M), then the out years will have to average more. That may be the root of the rumors that Dak is asking for $40M. Maybe his team is asking for $40M in 2026, not a $40M average. In any case, any longer term deal will necessarily average more than either the Goff or Wentz deals. That is the price the Cowboys will have to pay to get Dak to sign a longer term deal.

Example: If the Cowboys give Dak an average salary of $37M per season in years 5-7, and an average of $32M in years 1-4, the overall average contract value would be about $34M. Combined with his 2019 existing salary of $2M, that would make it an 8 year deal worth about $241M - an average of just over $30M per season. In the current market, that may be a bit low. An 8 year average value of $32M per season would be a 7 year, $254M extension.

This is pure speculation, but it seems reasonable to me that Dak's negotiating team will argue that any 7 year extension must average $32M per season over the entire 8 year life of the contract - including this year. A contract could look something like this:

7 year, $253.975M contract extension, $111.975M guaranteed, $50M signing Bonus spread out over 2019 & 2020. Dak receives a $30M signing bonus this year, and a $20M Restructure Bonus in March of 2020. (This doesn't include the $2.025M already committed to Dak for 2019. The Cowboys would also guarantee his 2019 salary, making the total guaranteed amount $114M.

Salary Cap Impact
2019 - $2.025M salary + $6M signing bonus (2019) = $8.025M Salary Cap hit
2020 - $11.975M salary + $6M SB (2019) + $4M Restructure Bonus (2020) = $21.975M Salary Cap hit
2021 - $24M SAL + $6M SB(2019) + $4M RB(2020) = $34M Salary Cap hit
2022 - $26M SAL + $6M SB(2019) + $4M RB(2020) = $36M Salary Cap hit
**** All Guaranteed money paid by 2022 *****
2023 - $28M SAL + $6M SB(2019) + $4M RB(2020) = $38M Salary Cap hit
2024 - $35M SAL + $4M RB(2020) = $39M Salary Cap hit
2025 - $39M SAL = $39M Salary Cap hit
2026 - $40M SAL = $40M Salary Cap hit

Cash outlay by year for Cowboys - Actual money paid to Dak
2019 - $32.025M = $2.025M Salary + $30M signing Bonus
2020 - $31.975M = $11.975M Salary + $20M Restructure Option Bonus
2021 - $24M
2022 - $26M
2023 - $28M
2024 - $35M
2025 - $39M
2026 - $40M
Total - $256M over 8 years = $32M per season

This will be reported as a 7 year, $254M extension, which is an average of $36.3M per season by the math-challenged morons in the press, and the Cowboys will be accused of setting the market. Jerry and Stephen will be accused of lying. But the actual average paid per season will be $32M per year, which is less than Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger are getting.

If Dak's performance craters, he will never see the last $142M of the contract, making this effectively a 4 year, $114M deal - an average of $28.5M per season from 2019-2022. This is just slightly more than Kirk Cousins is getting in Minnesota, who guaranteed him $28M per season. Dak is already out-performing Kirk Cousins. Dak would average $35.5M Salary over the last 4 years of his deal, which by that time may be a bargain.

The Cowboys would have to take a $14M dead money CAP hit in 2023 if they cut him, but they'd actually save $24M on the Salary CAP. This is their out if Dak doesn't work out as a long-term solution.

Is this whole post speculating?
Jerry said the deal was imminent

 

[Pantone282C]

Why would he take that? Don't most QB contracts get the majority of the money guaranteed?

No, they don't. They count on money guaranteed at signing. The percentage of practical guarantees is significantly less.

DOLLARS YRS DOLLARS GUARANTEES % GTD GUAR AT SIGNING

Russell Wilson (2019-2023) 4 $140,000,000 $107,000,000 76.43% $70,000,000
Ben Roethlisberger (2019-2021) 2 $68,000,000 $37,500,000 55.15% $37,500,000
Aaron Rodgers (2018-2023) 4 $134,000,000 $98,700,000 73.66% $79,200,000
Carson Wentz (2019-2024) 4 $128,000,000 $107,970,683 84.35% $66,470,683
Matt Ryan (2018-2023) 5 $150,000,000 $100,000,000 66.67% $94,500,000

 

[DandyDon52]

g

NOTE: The dollar figures in this post are pure speculation.

Apparently, the impasse in the negotiations between the Dallas Cowboys and the negotiating team for Dak Prescott is as much about the length of the contract as it is about money. The Cowboys want a 7 year deal, which would keep Dak in Dallas through the 2026 season - matching the length of Ezekiel Elliott's current contract commitment. Dak's team wants a 4 year extension,which would keep Dak undercontract through the 2023 season.

A 7 year deal would undoubtedly be in excess of $200M, but Dak's team of negotiators doesn't want to lock him in that long, prefering to get another bite at the negotiating apple in about 4 years, after which time starting salaries for QB's may have escalated even further.

If the Cowboys are going to get Dak Prescott to agree to a 7 year deal, they are likely going to have to escalate his salaries in years 5-7 to the point that his team is comfortable locking him in that long. For example, if the Cowboys match the Goff or Wentz deals for the first 4 years (avg $32M), then the out years will have to average more. That may be the root of the rumors that Dak is asking for $40M. Maybe his team is asking for $40M in 2026, not a $40M average. In any case, any longer term deal will necessarily average more than either the Goff or Wentz deals. That is the price the Cowboys will have to pay to get Dak to sign a longer term deal.

Example: If the Cowboys give Dak an average salary of $37M per season in years 5-7, and an average of $32M in years 1-4, the overall average contract value would be about $34M. Combined with his 2019 existing salary of $2M, that would make it an 8 year deal worth about $241M - an average of just over $30M per season. In the current market, that may be a bit low. An 8 year average value of $32M per season would be a 7 year, $254M extension.

This is pure speculation, but it seems reasonable to me that Dak's negotiating team will argue that any 7 year extension must average $32M per season over the entire 8 year life of the contract - including this year. A contract could look something like this:

7 year, $253.975M contract extension, $111.975M guaranteed, $50M signing Bonus spread out over 2019 & 2020. Dak receives a $30M signing bonus this year, and a $20M Restructure Bonus in March of 2020. (This doesn't include the $2.025M already committed to Dak for 2019. The Cowboys would also guarantee his 2019 salary, making the total guaranteed amount $114M.

Salary Cap Impact
2019 - $2.025M salary + $6M signing bonus (2019) = $8.025M Salary Cap hit
2020 - $11.975M salary + $6M SB (2019) + $4M Restructure Bonus (2020) = $21.975M Salary Cap hit
2021 - $24M SAL + $6M SB(2019) + $4M RB(2020) = $34M Salary Cap hit
2022 - $26M SAL + $6M SB(2019) + $4M RB(2020) = $36M Salary Cap hit
**** All Guaranteed money paid by 2022 *****
2023 - $28M SAL + $6M SB(2019) + $4M RB(2020) = $38M Salary Cap hit
2024 - $35M SAL + $4M RB(2020) = $39M Salary Cap hit
2025 - $39M SAL = $39M Salary Cap hit
2026 - $40M SAL = $40M Salary Cap hit

Cash outlay by year for Cowboys - Actual money paid to Dak
2019 - $32.025M = $2.025M Salary + $30M signing Bonus
2020 - $31.975M = $11.975M Salary + $20M Restructure Option Bonus
2021 - $24M
2022 - $26M
2023 - $28M
2024 - $35M
2025 - $39M
2026 - $40M
Total - $256M over 8 years = $32M per season

This will be reported as a 7 year, $254M extension, which is an average of $36.3M per season by the math-challenged morons in the press, and the Cowboys will be accused of setting the market. Jerry and Stephen will be accused of lying. But the actual average paid per season will be $32M per year, which is less than Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger are getting.

If Dak's performance craters, he will never see the last $142M of the contract, making this effectively a 4 year, $114M deal - an average of $28.5M per season from 2019-2022. This is just slightly more than Kirk Cousins is getting in Minnesota, who guaranteed him $28M per season. Dak is already out-performing Kirk Cousins. Dak would average $35.5M Salary over the last 4 years of his deal, which by that time may be a bargain.

The Cowboys would have to take a $14M dead money CAP hit in 2023 if they cut him, but they'd actually save $24M on the Salary CAP. This is their out if Dak doesn't work out as a long-term solution.

good post, I said a month ago, there were other things besides yearly salary that could hold up a deal.
Contracts can be complicated .
Dak said he isnt worried about the contract, he is focused on football, and letting his agent handle the contract.

 

[garyo1954]

Its going to get harder to pay every player they want to keep. About three-quarters of the $200M cap looks to be tied up in 8 or 9 players for 2020.

Elliott $90M/15m
Prescott $130M/34M (?)
Cooper $100M/15m (?)
Jones $80 (?)/$20M
Lawrence $105M/21M
Tyron Smith $97M/12m
Zack Martin $84M/14M
Jaylon Smith $68M/11M
Frederick $54M/9M
Tyrone Crawford $45M/9M

Looks like salary cap hell is coming! So this may be the last hurrah. Obviously Zeke has proven you can get more money by disrupting the teams plans (even if you're under contract and playing the games most disposable position). Now, the game becomes, "Get your money here and get your ring elsewhere!"

 

[leeblair]

Really? I remember you on another forum a few years back saying you were done with the Cowboys and that you were going to be watching the Minnesota Vikings because they were so well coached and run

Yeah, and then the Vikings blew it when they released Case Keenum. I still like them, and a few other teams.
I want to love the Cowboys, but they keep doing stupid stuff.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Lots of QB's struggle against Belichek's defense.

Like ALL of them. Not a fair measuring stick.

I think it depends on the unit of measurement. If you are measuring things against the standard of "best", then it's the only measuring stick that really counts.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

NOTE: The dollar figures in this post are pure speculation.

Apparently, the impasse in the negotiations between the Dallas Cowboys and the negotiating team for Dak Prescott is as much about the length of the contract as it is about money. The Cowboys want a 7 year deal, which would keep Dak in Dallas through the 2026 season - matching the length of Ezekiel Elliott's current contract commitment. Dak's team wants a 4 year extension,which would keep Dak undercontract through the 2023 season.

A 7 year deal would undoubtedly be in excess of $200M, but Dak's team of negotiators doesn't want to lock him in that long, prefering to get another bite at the negotiating apple in about 4 years, after which time starting salaries for QB's may have escalated even further.

If the Cowboys are going to get Dak Prescott to agree to a 7 year deal, they are likely going to have to escalate his salaries in years 5-7 to the point that his team is comfortable locking him in that long. For example, if the Cowboys match the Goff or Wentz deals for the first 4 years (avg $32M), then the out years will have to average more. That may be the root of the rumors that Dak is asking for $40M. Maybe his team is asking for $40M in 2026, not a $40M average. In any case, any longer term deal will necessarily average more than either the Goff or Wentz deals. That is the price the Cowboys will have to pay to get Dak to sign a longer term deal.

Example: If the Cowboys give Dak an average salary of $37M per season in years 5-7, and an average of $32M in years 1-4, the overall average contract value would be about $34M. Combined with his 2019 existing salary of $2M, that would make it an 8 year deal worth about $241M - an average of just over $30M per season. In the current market, that may be a bit low. An 8 year average value of $32M per season would be a 7 year, $254M extension.

This is pure speculation, but it seems reasonable to me that Dak's negotiating team will argue that any 7 year extension must average $32M per season over the entire 8 year life of the contract - including this year. A contract could look something like this:

7 year, $253.975M contract extension, $111.975M guaranteed, $50M signing Bonus spread out over 2019 & 2020. Dak receives a $30M signing bonus this year, and a $20M Restructure Bonus in March of 2020. (This doesn't include the $2.025M already committed to Dak for 2019. The Cowboys would also guarantee his 2019 salary, making the total guaranteed amount $114M.

Salary Cap Impact
2019 - $2.025M salary + $6M signing bonus (2019) = $8.025M Salary Cap hit
2020 - $11.975M salary + $6M SB (2019) + $4M Restructure Bonus (2020) = $21.975M Salary Cap hit
2021 - $24M SAL + $6M SB(2019) + $4M RB(2020) = $34M Salary Cap hit
2022 - $26M SAL + $6M SB(2019) + $4M RB(2020) = $36M Salary Cap hit
**** All Guaranteed money paid by 2022 *****
2023 - $28M SAL + $6M SB(2019) + $4M RB(2020) = $38M Salary Cap hit
2024 - $35M SAL + $4M RB(2020) = $39M Salary Cap hit
2025 - $39M SAL = $39M Salary Cap hit
2026 - $40M SAL = $40M Salary Cap hit

Cash outlay by year for Cowboys - Actual money paid to Dak
2019 - $32.025M = $2.025M Salary + $30M signing Bonus
2020 - $31.975M = $11.975M Salary + $20M Restructure Option Bonus
2021 - $24M
2022 - $26M
2023 - $28M
2024 - $35M
2025 - $39M
2026 - $40M
Total - $256M over 8 years = $32M per season

This will be reported as a 7 year, $254M extension, which is an average of $36.3M per season by the math-challenged morons in the press, and the Cowboys will be accused of setting the market. Jerry and Stephen will be accused of lying. But the actual average paid per season will be $32M per year, which is less than Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger are getting.

If Dak's performance craters, he will never see the last $142M of the contract, making this effectively a 4 year, $114M deal - an average of $28.5M per season from 2019-2022. This is just slightly more than Kirk Cousins is getting in Minnesota, who guaranteed him $28M per season. Dak is already out-performing Kirk Cousins. Dak would average $35.5M Salary over the last 4 years of his deal, which by that time may be a bargain.

The Cowboys would have to take a $14M dead money CAP hit in 2023 if they cut him, but they'd actually save $24M on the Salary CAP. This is their out if Dak doesn't work out as a long-term solution.

not bad, if this is the case.

 

[MCMetal69]

Dak should relish the fact he's on a talent-laden team with an intelligent new OC who is obviously determined to maximizing Prescott's strength(s)................

I simply don't see how he can legitimately ask to be the highest paid in the league when there are others who can carry their teams far better and further........

 

[MarcusRock]

No, they don't. They count on money guaranteed at signing. The percentage of practical guarantees is significantly less.

DOLLARS YRS DOLLARS GUARANTEES % GTD GUAR AT SIGNING

Russell Wilson (2019-2023) 4 $140,000,000 $107,000,000 76.43% $70,000,000
Ben Roethlisberger (2019-2021) 2 $68,000,000 $37,500,000 55.15% $37,500,000
Aaron Rodgers (2018-2023) 4 $134,000,000 $98,700,000 73.66% $79,200,000
Carson Wentz (2019-2024) 4 $128,000,000 $107,970,683 84.35% $66,470,683
Matt Ryan (2018-2023) 5 $150,000,000 $100,000,000 66.67% $94,500,000

Okay, thanks. So that $237.975M / $110M guaranteed is the guarantee at signing but there could be more guarantees gleaned like the extra $37M Wilson can get beyond his $70M guaranteed at signing. Got it. I thought he meant total guarantees.

 

[Jipper]

i get that the salaries keep going up but this is ludicrous

 

[RJ_MacReady]

How about a compromise? Make it a 5 year deal and be done with.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

If he can, a lot of doubters (me included) would love to see consistency in 16 games and finish at least top 10 in passing

Yep consistency esp against tougher defenses would go a long way for Dak to get that expensive Franchise contract.
Destroying the Giants annually isn't top ten money for any QB......
I'm hoping of eating the crow BIG TIME......serve it Dak????

 

[408Cowboy]

Yeah, and then the Vikings blew it when they released Case Keenum. I still like them, and a few other teams.
I want to love the Cowboys, but they keep doing stupid stuff.

Fair weather fan if I've ever seen one.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

The part about Rayne Dakota not having "Mental Toughness" is one thing a lot of us critics don't agree with. We have other issues with him but toughness is certainly not one of them

Good point he has shown when pressured he has major Panic issues in the pocket. Our offline is great but no line can hold Mr. Cox or Mr. Mack at bay forever.

 

[Idgit]

Sticking point has to be matching the guaranteed money for Goff and Wentz. Both of those guys already were on the hook with much larger guarantees from the back ends of their rookie deals. Dak doesn't have that since his back end is a 4 year deal (no 5th year option) and a deal for a late 4th, in the first place. The team is probably willing to guarantee the same percentage of the new money that the Rams and Eagles did, but the overall guarantee will be lower because there aren't the guarantees for the current deal to fold into the package.

Dak's team is probably saying the guaranteed money should match the other two, overall. Dallas has already benefited hugely because of Dak's draft status, so Dak shouldn't be effectively penalized in terms of overall guarantees for an extension.

The team thinks the missing guarantees are part of the benefit they got from the original pick and that they shouldn't have to match what the Eagles and Rams had to give the #1 and #2 overall picks on their extensions.

It's a tough one to work around, IMNSHO.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Yet they still haven't seen the mental toughness from Dak that raises his team to a higher level when things aren't going well.
I like Dak and think he is great, but his history shows that he plays behind the Cowboys system, not in front of it. If things go well, he's awesome. Bu th when tough times come, he hasn't shown the ability to lead.
They should sign him- he's earned a payday. But there are still doubts as to his ability when times are tough.

This is the complete opposite of what Dak has done. Really, have you been watching any of the games? Green Bay playoff? Green Bay regular season? Seattle playoff?