Adult Language Troy Aikman on the Pat McAfee Show: "Dak Will Be The First QB To $60 Million"

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Jerry's problem was not planning ahead. He should have foresaw what the top QBs were going to be making. He gave Dak all the power. I actually find that a little humorous. Jerry was outdone by Dak. lol I think that's the reason for the Lance trade to try to put pressure on Dak to take a smaller amount but that's backfired. Lance is not a starter. Now the Cowboys are in a pickle. They have no idea what to do if Dak leaves next year because they aren't prepared. Dak wants his money and Jerry either caves or Dak leaves. I think the fact that Dak is talking freely about leaving and doesn't care what he says about the fans proves he's not budging. Dak isn't worth the money he's asking for but the Cowboys totally blew it.

I agree with mostly everything said. But here's my question....who is "worth" what they are being paid? How is that determined?

Are the Chiefs in the top 10 in value for NFL franchises? Should they be since they are the reigning Super Bowl champs?

It's simply not how it works. You are worth what someone is willing to pay you, and you have to decide if you want to play for them. I can guarantee you regardless of the fact Jerry has NEVER won as the chief architect of this franchise....he is not giving a dime back and he ain't cutting any fans, sponsors, etc...a discount. Why? Because on the field results don't reflect what his product is worth....his product is worth whatever fans, TV networks, streaming providers, sponsors etc.. are willing to pay him

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I don't disagree with you for most of this post, just the tail end of it. But if someone is going to want me to give them a contract that reflects what they'd get in a bidding war, I'd rather go to the bidding war. That's just my opinion.

No one cares about TV deals. People care about what players make because it has a direct impact on the cap. You know this. How often do we here about what a coach makes? Any threads on how much they are being paid? No. Because no one cares.

And it is working EXACTLY how the owners designed it to work. So they players will always look like the bad guys. But guess what, the players don't have a problem doing that anymore. And it is antiquated strategy for owners to try to make players look bad.

Public perception does not SWAY a players resolve to be paid what they are worth.

This type of churn exists so organizations can look like the good guy in the eyes of the fans when it is all said and done. But that leads to players understanding that there is no TEAM....there is no LOYALTY...there is no fight for the man next to you........THIS IS BUSINESS!!!!

 

[KJJ]

Ooooh so afraid...

you brace yourself then. I'd be welcoming it. I don't need his replacement now. I just need the commitment to rebuild. How many QBs did Dallas draft with their #1 pick in those post Aikman years? How many trades did Jerry do to get a good #1 draft? Jerry thought he could get away cheap and it backfired for about 30 years now.

Sorry, but this is an absolute bogus argument from the Daksters.

You won’t be welcoming it if we’re playing musical chairs at QB year after year trying to find his replacement while missing the playoffs. You won’t be welcoming it if we end up like Washington has the past two decades or a few other teams that spend year after year juggling QBs. We drafted a QB with our first pick immediately after we released Aikman and it turned out to be Quincy Carter. We didn’t have a first round pick because of the Joey Galloway deal. We saw how that turned out. You can’t just burn a first round pick on a QB unless you really like the potential of the player. Some on this board just want to throw away first round picks on QBs every 2-3 years.

There’s teams that have done that and still end up bad every year because the QBs go bust and those first round picks could’ve been used on much better players at other positions. We came away with two terrific QBs in Romo and Dak the past couple of decades but we couldn’t get over the hump with either one because the teams around them weren’t good enough. We haven’t had a great defense that’s shown up in the playoffs since our championship teams in the 90s. That’s been our number one problem and no QB is going overcome a garbage defense in the playoffs. All five of our championship teams had great defenses.

 

[Streifenkarl]

You won’t be welcoming it if we’re playing musical chairs at QB year after year trying to find his replacement while missing the playoffs. You won’t be welcoming it if we end up like Washington has the past two decades or a few other teams that spend year after year juggling QBs. We drafted a QB with our first pick immediately after we released Aikman and it turned out to be Quincy Carter. We didn’t have a first round pick because of the Joey Galloway deal. We saw how that turned out. You can’t just burn a first round pick on a QB unless you really like the potential of the player. Some on this board just want to throw away first round picks on QBs every 2-3 years.

There’s teams that have done that and still end up bad every year because the QBs go bust and those first round picks could’ve been used on much better players at other positions. We came away with two terrific QBs in Romo and Dak the past couple of decades but we couldn’t get over the hump with either one because the teams around them weren’t good enough. We haven’t had a great defense that’s shown up in the playoffs since our championship teams in the 90s. That’s been our number one problem and no QB is going overcome a garbage defense in the playoffs. All five of our championship teams had great defenses.

What kind of stupid argument chain is this? Even if I followed it we'd be in the same place in 5 years then. So they have 5 years to find his replacement you say? Well see your own first paragraph. You either believe in finding a new QB is possible or not. And I'd rather start doing it now without Dak than with him. Rush is good for 8 or 9 wins, he's proven it.

 

[acr731]

I am just curious if the posters here that think Dak should take less are volunteering at their places of employment to take less money "for the good of the company" knowing that if the company misses their earnings per share one quarter you might be in the next round of layoffs...................I highly doubt it.

This is a dumb way of looking at things. My job has a pay scale similar to the military, meaning that every person makes the exact same salary at the entry level. Increases in pay are automatic based on years of service.

There is no negotiation process, and no one at a higher level on the pay scale will ever be asked "hey Bob, you mind taking less pay so we can bring in more entry level people?" That's not how it works. To compare the normal working world to professional sports salaries is idiotic.

 

[Rayman70]

I still see him signing a short deal. A max 2 year deal with a 3rd year out for both Troy might be right,but it won't be a long deal. Maybe 60 per year but for essentially a 3 year deal with the 3rd year having an option built in where either side can part ways.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Dak isn’t the answer.

That’s been proven.

His best chance was in ‘22. The defense played well. Held SF to 19. Dak threw picks.

I get so tired with these fantasy football fans who look at regular season stats and proclaim him great.

His performance anxiety is glaring.

It’s like he morphs into a completely different quarterback.

And this season will be no exception.

Since Dak entered the league seven franchises have played in the Super Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys are one of the 25 that haven’t. Dak has no control over who is on the coaching staff. In fact, he has no idea who will be the head coach next season. Other teams are signing not one top receiver, but two, or using high draft choices on wide receivers. The Cowboys don’t draft one and Cowboys can’t get their best wide receiver, a very good one, to even come to training camp. The Cowboys let a division rival sign their more than adequate center to a top five contract for the position. Their proposed solution to that was to draft a guard from a Big 12 team and decide he can play center in the NFL, even though he never played the position anywhere in his life. Dak Prescott has control over his future, and only his future. It’s not about it being the 2nd or 3rd contract. It’s not about playoffs. It’s not about greed. If Jerry Jones wants Dak to agree to remain with the hootenanny that is today’s Dallas Cowboys he’s going to have to pay to get it done. Dak can get blown out of games playing for many other teams. He knows he should take care of what he controls. His next contract.

 

[Rayman70]

A short deal makes sense if they feel Lance will develop. If Lance doesn't, that also allows the team to draft a QB later. A win win.

 

[Diehardblues]

I don't blame the players. I would do the same thing. But I'm not taking their side if it hurts the team. Players like Zach Martin, AJ Brown, and Tyreek Hill all want more money in contract renegotiations because they are outplaying their contract. But you'll never see a player say they'll take less money because they suck, and are a drag on their team. Understandably so. But the counter balance to this is to have an out in case that happens.

A good example of this was the issue with Le'Veon Bell with the Steelers. Turned down a 5 year 75M dollar contract because his only guaranteed money was his 10M signing bonus. All he had to do is live up to his contract to get paid his contract. He wanted more guaranteed money in case he didn't. You can't blame the Steelers. We all saw how that turned out for him.

Yes but Bell is a rare example . I’d support more teams taking such a strong stance . But they won’t.

But the real culprits in all of this is the owners. They wanted Salary Cap. This is what you get.

 

[KJJ]

What kind of stupid argument chain is this? Even if I followed it we'd be in the same place in 5 years then. So they have 5 years to find his replacement you say? Well see your own first paragraph. You either believe in finding a new QB is possible or not. And I'd rather start doing it now without Dak than with him. Rush is good for 8 or 9 wins, he's proven it.

There isn’t anything stupid about what I just posted. Any logical thinker who’s been following the NFL long enough could make sense of it. I’m not saying it’s going to take five years to find his replacement, but it took five years to find Aikman’s replacement. We have no idea how long it might take to find his replacement. Washington let Kirk Cousins walk after the 2017 season and they’ve made the playoffs once since and that was with a losing record. They burned a first round pick on a QB that went bust in no time. They burned several picks on Carson Wentz who lasted only one season.

They just used the second overall pick for the second time in just over a decade on a QB who they hope doesn’t turn out to be another RG3. Finding a QB better than Dak is going to be very difficult. Is it possible? Yes, but it could take a number of years. Any QB lesser than him and we’re going to struggle to make the playoffs. This team has lost a lot of talent the past couple of years and they can’t afford to lose their franchise QB. We could be battling for the bottom of the NFC East in 2025 with the players we could possibly lose after this season.

 

[Flamma]

And it is working EXACTLY how the owners designed it to work. So they players will always look like the bad guys. But guess what, the players don't have a problem doing that anymore. And it is antiquated strategy for owners to try to make players look bad.

Public perception does not SWAY a players resolve to be paid what they are worth.

This type of churn exists so organizations can look like the good guy in the eyes of the fans when it is all said and done. But that leads to players understanding that there is no TEAM....there is no LOYALTY...there is no fight for the man next to you........THIS IS BUSINESS!!!!

I have no problem with that. I am in a state union. I get paid by the tax payer. I also have no problem with being over paid. Do you think I care about the tax payer? I don't. But I don't expect them to like it.

 

[Flamma]

There isn’t anything stupid about what I just posted. Any logical thinker who’s been following the NFL long enough could make sense of it. I’m not saying it’s going to take five years to find his replacement, but it took five years to find Aikman’s replacement. We have no idea how long it might take to find his replacement. Washington let Kirk Cousins walk after the 2017 season and they’ve made the playoffs once since and that was with a losing record. They burned a first round pick on a QB that went bust in no time. They burned several picks on Carson Wentz who lasted only one season.

They just used the second overall pick for the second time in just over a decade on a QB who they hope doesn’t turn out to be another RG3. Finding a QB better than Dak is going to be very difficult. Is it possible? Yes, but it could take a number of years. Any QB lesser than him and we’re going to struggle to make the playoffs. This team has lost a lot of talent the past couple of years and they can’t afford to lose their franchise QB. We could be battling for the bottom of the NFC East in 2025 with the players we could possibly lose after this season.

What if Dak asked for 75M a year? What is your plan for that? Just a hypothetical. We still don't have anyone to replace him.

Rush can win 8-9 games and lose early in the playoffs. We don't need to pay a QB 60M a year for that. In fact, the only reason any team should pay a QB a ridiculous amount of money is if they think a championship is possible. If not, why are you paying him that? I know, to stay relevant. That's an owner's reason. Not what most fans think.

 

[KJJ]

What if Dak asked for 75M a year? What is your plan for that? Just a hypothetical. We still don't have anyone to replace him.

Rush can win 8-9 games and lose early in the playoffs. We don't need to pay a QB 60M a year for that. In fact, the only reason any team should pay a QB a ridiculous amount of money is if they think a championship is possible. If not, why are you paying him that? I know, to stay relevant. That's an owner's reason. Not what most fans think.

He won’t be getting $75 million per season from anyone so it’s a waste of time even entertaining that question. If we can’t pay his asking price, then we’ll have no choice but to find another QB. That may be the position we’re going to be left in if he isn’t extended by the season opener. If that happens, we’re going to have to draft one and bring in a veteran free agent. That will no doubt lead to some tough times unless we get very lucky with the draft pick. As for Cooper Rush, I don’t see him winning 8-9 games with the team we have currently or will have after this season.

 

[Fontaine]

Money or a superbowl and a legacy. Our players have made their choice.

 

[Diehardblues]

I agree with mostly everything said. But here's my question....who is "worth" what they are being paid? How is that determined?

Are the Chiefs in the top 10 in value for NFL franchises? Should they be since they are the reigning Super Bowl champs?

It's simply not how it works. You are worth what someone is willing to pay you, and you have to decide if you want to play for them. I can guarantee you regardless of the fact Jerry has NEVER won as the chief architect of this franchise....he is not giving a dime back and he ain't cutting any fans, sponsors, etc...a discount. Why? Because on the field results don't reflect what his product is worth....his product is worth whatever fans, TV networks, streaming providers, sponsors etc.. are willing to pay him

Well said . The Jone$ aren’t giving us a team friendly deal at the ticket office cause he hasn’t won a divisional round game in 3 decades.

 

[Diehardblues]

What if Dak asked for 75M a year? What is your plan for that? Just a hypothetical. We still don't have anyone to replace him.

Rush can win 8-9 games and lose early in the playoffs. We don't need to pay a QB 60M a year for that. In fact, the only reason any team should pay a QB a ridiculous amount of money is if they think a championship is possible. If not, why are you paying him that? I know, to stay relevant. That's an owner's reason. Not what most fans think.

And that’s a huge disparity between fans mentalities and their owners.

Fans aren’t generally interested in just remaining relevant and keeping up enough interest to promote the label to generate revenue.

 

[Diehardblues]

Money or a superbowl and a legacy. Our players have made their choice.

What employee wouldn’t choose their own monetary gains rather than being the #1 company or team?

The NFL is a business first. Winning is really overrated. Money is the driving force.

 

[Diehardblues]

This is a dumb way of looking at things. My job has a pay scale similar to the military, meaning that every person makes the exact same salary at the entry level. Increases in pay are automatic based on years of service.

There is no negotiation process, and no one at a higher level on the pay scale will ever be asked "hey Bob, you mind taking less pay so we can bring in more entry level people?" That's not how it works. To compare the normal working world to professional sports salaries is idiotic.

Obviously the Armed Forces as you have pointed out is a very poor example in comparison.

But there are others . The top 10 in your class for example are in a better position to negotiate the schools who recruit them. And if they graduate in top of their class in college the top companies will pursue them and are in a position to negotiate.

And once you become established in your professional field you are in a position to demand and negotiate . There’s more examples like in other entertainment entities which the NFL is as well.

Some companies are more regimented like in Armed Forces but the higher level positions in those companies is more open to pursuing and negotiating with the top candidates in their field.

 

[FVSTONE]

Mahomes will redo his contract soon enough.

Not anytime soon, he's been asked that question and his response has been, " He's happy with his contract because it allows him to make some money and keep KC rolling in the SB Trophies". He's not greedy like Prescot is, who is only worried about his and about running up QB salaries for future NFL QBs. Prescot knows he's not like Mahomes or Brady, he's not going to get any better as he get's older, pulling in $60 - $80 mill a yr, he knows he's more like Cousins, bleeding teams of the Cap Space while making more money than the law should allow..........LOL!

 

[Diehardblues]

Not anytime soon, he's been asked that question and his response has been, " He's happy with his contract because it allows him to make some money and keep KC rolling in the SB Trophies". He's not greedy like Prescot is, who is only worried about his and about running up QB salaries for future NFL QBs. Prescot knows he's not like Mahomes or Brady, he's not going to get any better as he get's older, pulling in $60 - $80 mill a yr, he knows he's more like Cousins, bleeding teams of the Cap Space while making more money than the law should allow..........LOL!

Nobody is holding a gun to these owners heads.

If more owners had the balls we wouldn’t have an issue.

They created this Salary Cap crap and they are the ones who cave in.