Cowboys expected to use franchise tag on Dak Prescott

The Dallas Cowboys have said numerous times publicly that they want to sign Dak Prescott to a long-term contract extension, but it does not sound like the two sides are on the verge of an agreement.

The Cowboys are expected to use the franchise tag on Prescott this offseason, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. While neither side wants that to happen, the deadline for using the franchise tag is March 10, which is about a week before the start of free agency. Dallas obviously is not going to let Prescott become a free agent.

If the Cowboys do use the tag on Prescott, that will give them until July 15 to sign him to a multi-year extension. As Schefter notes, the fact that negotiations have been going on for so long is an indication that the two sides may disagree over Prescott’s value.

Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said near the end of the season that the Cowboys have an “aggressive offer” on the table to Prescott. We have heard some truly outrageous figures thrown around that probably will not end up being accurate, but the Cowboys may be motivated to get a deal done with Prescott before Patrick Mahomes signs an extension with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mahomes is eligible to sign an extension with Kansas City this offseason, and he is expected to land a record-setting deal. If it works out, that will reset the quarterback market. Dallas could be better off signing Prescott to a long-term contract before that happens.