I think Dak already knows he is in the drivers seat and has been for some time. Jerry can offer whatever he wants, Dak still has to agree to it. And that's the thing. Dak is not agreeing and we do not know exactly why. All we have are rumors.
The length of contract, we were told, was the holdup last season. But does anyone really believe if Jerry offered Dak $35 million for 5 years and Dak said he do only 4 years they could not have worked that out? Or if Dak asked for $40 million Jerry would not have budged a little from $35 million to get the deal done?
I find the whole thing puzzling. But, when a deal does not get done with Jerry, I think we have to start with the player and his agent. Jerry has never been shy about overpaying his players. He overpaid Romo without batting an eye. Something we do not know is keeping the two sides from an agreement. Maybe the Joneses are not really convinced Dak is the guy? But then why not trade him last year?
I said last year Dak was looking at about $68 million guaranteed if he went the franchise route for 2 years. So Jerry had to offer him more than $68 million guaranteed. But now Dak is looking at $37 million this year and an opportunity to go to the highest bidder or the team of his choice next year, or Jerry has to pay him $60 something million on top of the $37 million this year. I think this is what Dak wants, or his agent has convinced him is best for him. He wants free agency to get the best deal and maybe even offer Jerry a chance to match it.
Jerry does not want to get into a bidding war for Dak, or any player. So if Dak holds out for a franchise tag I think Jerry knows it's over at that point. The next option is let Dak negotiate with other teams willing to make a trade.
I have read a lot of opinions on Dak trade value. I think the Cowboys can ask for a lot for Dak, franchise tag or not. I am certain they can get 2 first round picks for him. Then they can use those picks to select a QB and build the defense.
It is not a matter of what they want or what I want. It is what Dak wants. But if they franchise him and do not trade him they risk losing him in 2022 and getting nothing in return.