Stephen Jones provides update on Dak Prescott extension talks before training camp

The Dallas Cowboys have made it abundantly clear that their goal is to hold on to “their guy” Dak Prescott beyond the final year of his contract this season. Despite that, Jerry Jones and his front office have made little headway toward a new deal.

Conversations are still happening, according to Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, and there’s “optimism,” but it’s nothing if not a complicated situation for Dallas. Already making $40 million annually, Prescott’s new price tag will likely be upwards of $55 million per year, and he’s just one of several players who need extensions within the next two years.

“The answer to that question is that we are optimistic that we can get these guys done,” Jones said this week on Dianna Russini’s Scoop City podcast. “He knows that. We’re having conversations with his agent and Dak, personally. Both Jerry and I. He knows our goal is to keep him here.”

If the Cowboys do extend Prescott or make him a new deal next offseason, Jones believes sacrifices will have to be made. Like the Chiefs have done, however, he believes the team can still win games if they make the right tough choices.

“We know what happens to teams when they have these high-priced quarterbacks at some point it’s a challenge to keep everybody,” Jones added. “The Chiefs are an example of that but they were able to survive not keeping Tyreek Hill and let some other top players, I think they let one of the top corners go after this season. You have to make some tough choices along the way. But we’re optimistic that we can do that. We’ll continue to grind away.”

Mike Greenberg: Dak would be ‘crazy’ to sign this offseason

If Prescott doesn’t sign an extension offer, he could be in for one of the wildest free agency periods in recent memory. Echoing some of his colleagues, including insider Adam Schefter, ESPN host Mike Greenberg went so far as to say the Cowboys star signing with Dallas this offseason would be “crazy.”

After bringing the team to another 12-5 record last season, the quarterback has all the leverage he could hope for – even without an impressive playoff record to match. The Cowboys can’t trade him or tag him, which means either they sign him or see him play for one of the other 31 teams in the league next year.

“The answer to the question of whether this will be his last season is that it’s entirely up to him, and that’s the best possible position for someone to be in,” Greenberg said. “He would be crazy to sign a contract now.”