Obviously I can’t prove it, but I firmly believe if the Cowboys had approached Dak back in March before the draft he probably would have agreed to go to a trade to Pitts (before Pitts other moves) or the maybe raiders. It could have worked if they knew what they were doing in planning this. In a trade this off-season, they could have traded Dak for a nice draft pick haul.
As it stands right now, they have cut off their own noses to spite their face. Options now? (a) Just let Dak play out this year, then watch him walk with only a Day 3 compensatory pick in return if Dak chooses to walk (b) overpay him when they could have signed him for less then be stuck with that deal for 4 years and on top of all that (c) they may have to draft a QB next year (in a weak QB year) and start over.
With a FO that doesn’t have a clue how to spot QB talent. They have lucked their way through in the past with an UFA and a 4th rounder but didn’t have a clue how to build around either.