Dak Prescott Contract: Dallas Cowboys QB Going From NFL's Best Bargain To Highest-Paid Player?

Dak Prescott is looking to become the NFL’s highest-paid player for the 2020 season. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has certainly earned a significant raise after arguably being one of the league’s most underpaid players.

A fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Prescott earned $4.903 million over the first four years of his career. He was paid just $2.155 million in 2019, leading the league’s No.1 ranked offense.

According to Spotrac, 39 quarterbacks made more money last season than Prescott.

Dallas used the franchise tag to prevent Prescott from hitting free agency in March. If he doesn’t sign a long-term contract by July 15, the 26-year-old will earn a $31.409 million salary next season.

Prescott finished second last season with 4,902 passing yards. He was the only quarterback that ranked in the top five in yards, touchdowns and yards per attempt.

Veteran quarterbacks that entered the league before Prescott, of course, had much, much more lucrative salaries. The starting quarterbacks in Prescott’s draft class also made significantly more money in 2019.

Jared Goff, the No.1 overall pick in 2016, signed a $134 million contract with a record $110 million guaranteed last year. He’s tied for third in the NFL with Aaron Rodgers for a $33.5 million average yearly salary.

Carson Wentz, the No.2 pick four years ago, inked a four-year, $128 million contract for the fifth-highest average yearly salary in 2019. It’s often debated whether Wentz or Prescott is the better quarterback, but Dallas’ signal caller has clearly been the bigger bargain.

Jacoby Brissett, who was a 2016 third-round pick, signed a two-year, $30 million contract last year.

Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson both had smaller base salaries than Prescott in 2019. Mahomes will make $16.4 million over the first four years of his career. Watson is set to earn $13.8 million—nearly three times as much as Prescott—in his first four seasons.

Russell Wilson is the NFL’s highest-paid player with a $35 million average annual salary. Dallas is expected to pay Prescott at least that much in a new deal.