Tell ya something else .........IF they can't agree on an extension now ( before the start of the season ), it would be wise to consider trading up him before this draft. Here's why........without an extension, 2023 is the final year of any guaranteed money. 2024 is technically the final year of the deal coz 2025 and 2026 are void. Keep in mind, there no-trade and no-tag clauses.........means after this season, w/o an extension ALL/100% leverage goes to Dak and Todd France in 2024. He can sit back and let the contract expire ( after 2024 season ) and WALK w/o the Cowboys getting ANYTHING. The bottom line is Dak and Todd France have Jerry and Stephen by the balls after this season if they don't an extension done.
They would literally have only TWO options before the start of 2024 season to extend him or trade him, that is it, period coz this is a non-guaranteed year. I'm 1000% certain Todd France won't let get Dak anywhere close to a football field with that final year being non-guaranteed.
That's only the case IF (and it's a big IF) you think Dak is going to be worth another contract in 2025. If our aim is a SB (or even an appearance), he's shown nothing that suggests he and his 20%+ CAP hit is going to achieve that (without overhaul of coaching, running game, receivers and o-line).
This is the problem that out and out Dak fans have created, they've blamed EVERYTHING other than Dak, but to fix these issues we cant afford such an inconsistent QB (that needs everything to work to be consistent).....whilst paying him 20% of the CAP.
Teams arent winning with QB's that are over 30, with SUCH A HIGH CAP.....Brady took underpaid contracts for success. Look at Rodgers, Wilson, Carr, Cousins, Wentz......the older QB with high % CAP Hit's just isnt the way to a SB.
Take the 3rd Option - convert some of Dak's 2023 money into Bonus - 24/25(void) /26 (void) and make the decision at start of the 2024 whether we cut him or let him then or let have the last season as a Cowboy.
If he couldnt do it in his 20's I cant see how he's miraculously going to do it in his 30's.