'NFL' stands also for 'Not For Long'.
Jerry Jones has an excellent track record of getting contracts done for players he wants.
I have stated it many times in the past that I believe Jerry Jones has been 100% behind Dak Prescott since late October 2016. In my opinion, Jones has always wanted Prescott to agree to a mutually acceptable contract.
However, I do believe Prescott has never agreed upon the terms outlined by Jones. This will raise some folks blood pressure but I think Prescott wants a contract averaging more than Russell Wilson's $35 million per year. I also think he wants to wait-and-see if Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City agree to a contract extension sometime before mid-July--the latest Prescott can wait before signing his franchise tag to play in 2020.
Therein lies the rub. Until a day ago, Prescott had zero concern IF he decided to gamble and NOT sign the tag IF Mahomes did not get a new deal before the tag deadline. As much as some people hope, Cooper Rush is extremely unlikely to shake Jones' loyalty to Prescott if Prescott held out and Rush played. Same goes for Dinucci, whom I am sure some folks believe might have a similar rookie opportunity fall into his lap like Prescott in 2016. Possible but unlikely to shake Jones' faith in Prescott.
On the other hand, Andy Dalton has been an established starter in the league. Does Prescott take the risk of both not signing the tag and not signing a new contract and allow all the pieces to fall into place for Dalton? It is not necessary for Dalton to reincarnate into a perfect quarterback. All that is needed is for Dalton to get hot just long enough to make him the new darling of some fans and the media. Suddenly, Prescott's situation may be 'Not For Long' in Dallas.
Of course, I do not see Jones projecting Dalton to replace Prescott. Like I said, Jones has been Prescott's rock for years. That said, Jones gets contracts done for the players he wants.
I think Dalton is Jones' ploy of forcing Prescott to make a decision before mid-July by having Prescott entertain certain possibilities that did not strongly exist a few days ago. It will not surprise me if Prescott signs a new contract within the next two months at $35 million+ per year. Yeah. It will not shut up the 'He's not worth that much!' fretting that has very little to do with actual contract negotiations but it would be finalized. And old Jerruh would be grinning ear-to-ear, like he always does when he gets his way.