Ian Rapoport: Dak Prescott contract extension is on Dallas Cowboys, $60 million annually 'not crazy'

Dak Prescott admitted there have been conversations between him and the Dallas Cowboys over a contract extension. Likely a story that will dominate NFL headlines for the coming weeks, nobody is quite sure where the two parties stand. Prescott is entering the final year of his deal and with a no-trade clause to his name, holds a ton of leverage over the Cowboys.

Ian Rapoport believes if a deal is going to be struck, Dallas will have to be the one to make a move. Prescott seems willing to resign and commit his future to the Cowboys. Owner/general manager Jerry Jones is known for prolonging extension talks. Now, the ball is reportedly in Jones’ court.

“It is on the Dallas Cowboys right now if they’re going to do this,” Rapoport said. “If they’re going to avoid Dak Prescott going into the final year of his deal, like Mike McCarthy is, it is time for them to start talking and try to get a new contract done.”

The lack of recent playoff success in Dallas is well-documented and maybe reached a boiling point. Fans can debate whether or not Prescott is at fault but ultimately, the Dallas front office will have to decide if he is worthy of being the franchise’s quarterback.

A major financial commitment will likely need to be made by the Cowboys, though. Rapoport believes Prescott making $60 million on an annual basis, potentially on a shorter deal, is “not crazy.” Joe Burrow and Trever Lawrence just received fresh contracts, averaging $55 million.

“Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a little bit of a shorter deal,” Rapoport said. “I know the fact that people have mentioned the number 60, as in $60 million per year. The fact that it’s not crazy is based on where he is, what the numbers are, the type of leverage he has. This could be the kind of contract we’re talking about. But the clock is ticking, of course, to training camp.”

Dallas begins training camp on July 25 when the team travels out West to Oxnard. Prescott is not the only contract dispute in front of them either, with CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons wanting their own deals. Lamb would be willing to hold out if an agreement is not reached.

But Prescott will ultimately be the biggest decision Dallas makes. They can lock down their quarterback for the future or potentially watch him walk away in free agency next season while eating a cap hit well over $50 million.