The Dallas Cowboys made a massive financial commitment to Dak Prescott heading into the 2024 NFL season, signing the veteran quarterback to a four-year, $240 million deal, with a staggering $231 million guaranteed.
The contract instantly made Prescott the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history by average annual salary, eclipsing stars like Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes.
But while the deal was meant to solidify the franchise’s future under center, not everyone is convinced it was the right move.
In a recent breakdown by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, Prescott’s new contract was named the second-worst in the entire league, behind only Deshaun Watson’s controversial deal in Cleveland.
“Then, Dallas made Prescott the highest-paid player in NFL history by a fairly considerable margin,” Knox wrote.
“With a deal worth $60 million annually, Prescott makes at least $5 million more per year than any other player-including quarterbacks like Love, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen.”
The timing of the agreement also drew criticism. Dallas finalized the extension just before the season began-after several other quarterbacks, including Jared Goff and Jordan Love, had signed more team-friendly deals.
The decision has many questioning whether the Cowboys may have overplayed their hand.
High salary, high expectations
Prescott’s deal, which balloons to $74 million in 2026, was intended to keep the team stable at quarterback and push them into Super Bowl contention.
But Dallas has yet to make that leap. Despite several playoff appearances under Prescott’s leadership, the Cowboys have not advanced beyond the divisional round since 1995-a nearly 30-year drought that looms large over the franchise’s legacy.
The quarterback’s individual production has often been solid, and his leadership within the locker room is widely praised. But when a player is paid at the top of the market, the expectation is not just personal performance-it’s postseason success.
“Lastly, the Cowboys believed that keeping Prescott happy and behind center would put Dallas in a position to win a Super Bowl,” Knox added. “The Cowboys, for the record, haven’t advanced past the divisional round since 1995.”
Further complicating matters is Prescott’s injury history. Over the past five seasons, he has missed a total of 25 games, including nine in 2024, five in 2022, and 11 in 2020.
That level of unavailability has forced the Cowboys to rely heavily on backup quarterbacks, which has disrupted offensive rhythm and limited the team’s ceiling.
Prescott, however, remains steadfast in his commitment to the team and his own goals. He’s made it clear that he wants to lead the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl in nearly three decades and believes that he’s the one to get them there.
But critics argue that the team’s resources-particularly salary cap flexibility-have taken a hit due to his mega deal.
At a time when franchises are building entire rosters around younger, more affordable quarterbacks, Dallas has bet big on an experienced but injury-prone signal-caller whose playoff résumé has yet to match his paycheck.
To justify this historic contract, Prescott will need to do more than put up stats. He’ll have to stay healthy, play consistently through the regular season, and finally break through the playoff wall that has stopped every Cowboys quarterback since Troy Aikman. Until that happens, the skepticism surrounding his deal isn’t going away.
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