Report: Dak Prescott turned down $30 million per year from Cowboys

Dak Prescott is one of several core players the Dallas Cowboys have been negotiating a long-term contract extension with leading up to the season, and apparently the quarterback has some significant demands.

Michael Lombardi of The Athletic reported on Sunday that he has been told Prescott turned down an offer from the Cowboys that would have paid him somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 million annually. That would place him among the five highest-paid quarterbacks in football.

If Dak Prescott has turned down an offer in the 30 million per year range, which is what I am hearing, then he is nuts. Not a top-five quarterback

— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) August 11, 2019

The average annual value of a contract doesn’t tell the whole story, so it’s possible the Cowboys offered Prescott a deal that he felt did not include enough guaranteed money. Still, he may have to lower his expectations if he thinks he’s going to make as much as guys like Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Ryan.

While Prescott’s career completion percentage of 66.1 and passer rating of 96.0 are above average, his rookie season in 2016 — when threw 23 touchdown passes compared to just four interceptions — was by far his best. Very few people would argue he is a top-five NFL quarterback, so you can understand why the Cowboys might be hoping he will take less. They also still have to pay Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper, and Prescott could help them keep those offensive pieces together by signing a team-friendly deal.

Judging by what he has said about the upcoming season, it’s possible Prescott is comfortable betting on himself and playing out his deal.