Dak Prescott will sign the franchise tender for the 2020 NFL season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The decision comes more than three months after the Dallas Cowboys used the franchise tag on their quarterback, preventing him from becoming a free agent.

What does this news mean for Prescott and the Cowboys? It will require the 26-year-old to show up for training camp, likely ending the already remote possibility that Prescott might stay home if he doesn’t have a new multi-year contract.

Two years ago, Le’Veon Bell refused to sign his franchise tag with the Pittsburgh Steelers and missed the entire 2018 season. He joined the New York Jets the following offseason as a free agent.

Signing the tender won’t end the contract negotiations between the two sides, who still have until July 15 to reach a long-term agreement.

Prescott is reportedly looking to become the NFL’s highest-paid player. Russell Wilson leads the league with a $35 million average yearly salary. The Cowboys have reportedly fallen just short of that mark in their best offer, willing to pay the signal caller as much as Ben Roethlisberger, who is second with a $34 million average salary.

Dallas has reportedly offered Prescott $110 million guaranteed, which would tie the record set by Jared Goff last year. The Cowboys have been trying to sign Prescott for five years, while the quarterback seems to prefer a four-year deal.

The franchise tag is worth $31.409 million. Six quarterbacks make at least $32 million per season.

The Cowboys have given their other two offensive stars record-setting deals within the past year. After holding out for the whole preseason, Ezekiel Elliott inked a six-year, $90 million contract in September. Shortly after Dallas tagged Prescott in March, the team gave Amari Cooper a five-year, $100 million deal.

Prescott set career-highs with 4,902 yards, 30 touchdowns and 8.2 yards per attempt last season. The Cowboys had the No.1 ranked offense in the NFL.

Since being drafted in 2016, Prescott has started every game for Dallas, going 40-24. Prescott has been selected to two Pro Bowls and led the Cowboys to two divisional playoff appearances.

Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after carrying the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. Tom Pennington/Getty Images
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