Beyond the stats, Prescott has shown consistency and leadership throughout his career.
Dak Prescott is back in the spotlight as the Dallas Cowboys locked him in with a massive four-year extension worth $240 million, including a whopping $231 million in guaranteed money. This new deal not only makes Prescott the highest-paid player in the NFL with an average yearly salary of $60 million, but it also surpasses contracts of other elite quarterbacks like Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence. But with this kind of investment, the question Cowboys Nation can’t avoid is: Can Dak finally deliver a Super Bowl?
Prescott, who will be 31 heading into his ninth NFL season in 2024, has already put together an impressive resume. In 2023, he led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns, a first in Cowboys history. That number ties Tony Romo’s single-season career high set back in 2007. In fact, Dak’s career-best is 37 touchdowns, which he threw in 2021. He’s also climbed up the Cowboys’ all-time leaderboard, sitting second in career passing touchdowns (202) behind Romo (248) and third in career passing yards (29,459), trailing Romo and Hall of Famer Troy Aikman.
Beyond the stats, Prescott has shown consistency and leadership throughout his career. Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2016, he’s started 114 games, leading the Cowboys to a 73-41 record in those contests. His 2023 campaign was particularly strong, as he posted a 69.5% completion percentage (second in the NFL), threw for 4,516 yards (third in the league), and registered a 105.9 passer rating, which ranked second.
The Cowboys’ front office, led by Jerry Jones, has made it clear that they see Prescott as their quarterback of the future. Jones cited Dak’s improvement under head coach Mike McCarthy, who took over offensive play-calling duties last season, as a key factor in making this deal happen. Jones has full confidence in Prescott, stating, “We want Dak Prescott. That’s that.”
But with great paychecks come great expectations. Prescott’s new contract places him above every other quarterback in terms of earnings, and the $231 million in guaranteed money even tops the deal Deshaun Watson got from the Cleveland Browns. As a result, Cowboys fans are right to wonder if Dak can lead the team to the promised land—something that has eluded the franchise since their last Super Bowl win in 1995.
Prescott’s regular-season success is undeniable, but playoff success has been harder to come by. With the financial commitment the Cowboys have made, they’re betting big that Dak can elevate his game when it matters most and bring another Lombardi Trophy back to Dallas. The team has a strong supporting cast, including potential future deals for three-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons. But ultimately, the Cowboys’ championship aspirations rest heavily on Prescott’s shoulders.
As Dak enters his ninth season with a record-setting deal and plenty of accolades, all eyes will be on whether he can turn those individual accomplishments into a Super Bowl run. Can Prescott finally deliver? Only time will tell.