As the countdown continues for the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott, the pressure is mounting. While Prescott remains in limbo, waiting for a potential contract offer from owner Jerry Jones and the Cowboys, other players around the league are cashing in. On July 26th, 2024, the Miami Dolphins made a bold move by extending Tua Tagovailoa’s contract with a whopping four-year, $212.4 million deal, averaging $53.1 million per year. This eye-popping figure surely raised some eyebrows in the Cowboys front office.
The ongoing contract negotiations with Prescott have been a major storyline throughout the offseason, with no resolution in sight. Issues like salary cap constraints and perhaps a lack of trust have been cited as stumbling blocks in reaching a deal.
Comparisons between Dak Prescott and Tua Tagovailoa have been inevitable in light of recent events. Despite Tagovailoa’s injury history, inconsistency in cold weather, and lack of playoff success, the Dolphins brass remain confident in his abilities.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged Tagovailoa’s impact on his team, stating, “Our players do play better when he’s out there. He does make his teammates play at a higher level, there’s no question about it. So I’m right there in line with his best fan, but believe it or not, in my life, I’ve had a lot of things I’ve wanted but I couldn’t get because I couldn’t afford it.”
The underlying message seems clear – if the Cowboys truly value Prescott, they need to be willing to pay the price. However, there are doubts lingering about Prescott’s ability to lead the team to championship success.
While Tagovailoa has yet to win a playoff game (0-2) and still landed a lucrative contract, Prescott’s two playoff victories have not been enough to secure his future in Dallas. The Cowboys have lofty expectations and aspirations of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, or at least capturing an NFC title. Prescott’s inability to deliver on those goals may be a driving force behind the team’s reluctance to commit long-term.
In contrast, the Dolphins, a team with a history of inconsistency, have placed their faith in Tagovailoa despite his shortcomings. The differing approaches of these two franchises demonstrate the high stakes and differing philosophies in the NFL landscape. As the clock ticks on Dak Prescott’s future with the Cowboys, the pressure continues to build for all parties involved.
