The Dallas Cowboys have invested heavily in quarterback Dak Prescott, granting him a $240 million, four-year contract with a no-trade clause that places him among the NFL’s most influential players, second only to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Despite this lucrative deal and his prominent role on one of the most valuable sports franchises, Prescott’s ability to secure consistent wins remains questionable.
Although Prescott earns more money than any other player in the league’s most high-profile position, this financial and positional advantage has not translated into deep playoff success for Dallas. The Cowboys have not advanced to the NFC Championship Game since 1995, reflecting a long-standing challenge the team faces despite high expectations.
Recent Performance Decline After Strong Seasons
Prescott demonstrated his best professional season in 2022 by making the NFL All-Pro team as the Cowboys finished 12-5. The team matched that 12-5 record in 2023, but the 2024 season saw a significant drop-off when Dallas finished 7-10. This sharp decline was exacerbated by Prescott missing the last nine games due to a hamstring injury sustained early in the season soon after signing his record-breaking contract.
This injury and the timing of his massive deal have intensified scrutiny on Prescott’s future with the Cowboys. Analyst Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk placed Prescott on the hot seat ahead of the 2025 season, highlighting the complexities of his contract in relation to the team’s salary cap.
The complication for the Cowboys is that his $45 million salary for 2027 becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2026 league year. They’re basically stuck — all because they waited too long to give him his second contract, and then waited too long to give him his third contract.
—Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
Considered One of the NFL’s Worst Contracts
Multiple analysts have labeled Prescott’s contract as financially problematic, ranking it among the worst deals in the league. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox rated it second only to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s $230 million guaranteed extension, which has been criticized extensively.
Knox emphasized Prescott’s record-breaking salary, noting that his $60 million annual earnings surpass those of other top quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Jordan Love, despite Prescott not consistently performing at an elite level.
Dallas made Prescott the highest-paid player in NFL history by a fairly considerable margin,
Knox wrote on June 12.
With a deal worth $60 million annually, Prescott makes at least $5 million more per year than any other player—including quarterbacks like (Jordan) Love, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen … Prescott is an above-average quarterback, but he has never been elite. There is no scenario, at this stage in his career, that he’s worth $5 million per year more than any other player.
—Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report
Pressure Mounts After 2024 Season and NFC East Rivalries
The Cowboys face rising expectations following the 2024 season, especially after the Washington Commanders and the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles contested the NFC Championship Game. This outcome has increased the pressure on Dallas and Prescott to elevate their performance in the 2025 season.
Given Prescott’s injury troubles and contract challenges, Dallas must carefully evaluate their quarterback situation as they prepare for the upcoming NFL year. The team’s management must balance the financial risks attached to his contract with the urgent need for competitive success in one of football’s most scrutinized franchises.