Dak makes elite money because he was lucky enough to be drafted by Jerry Jones, and lucky enough to have the absolute best case scenario unfold before him his rookie year.
That best case scenario lead to very unexpected team success with the fourth round rook taking the snaps. That success validates Jerry the GM. Jerry Jones, the QB whisperer. Finding "franchise" QB's the rest of the league whiffed on. One after another. You don't maintain that aura by not paying that "gem" you found late in the draft.
Personally, I would have kept looking while focusing on the rest of the lineup. I think the best way to go in today's NFL is to build the best roster you can to be run by a solid QB with a good head on his shoulders, or to try and draft the next "elite" QB and take your shot while on his rookie contract. Paying top dollar for a QB and filling in the roster around him doesn't seem like a good plan.
In retrospect, I believe that ultimately, that unexpected 2016 season hurt Dak, Zeke and the Cowboys. It came too easy and set unrealistic standards and expectations too soon.
But hey, at least everyone got paid...