Yet another domino has fallen in the Dak Prescott contract saga.
ESPN is reporting that the Cowboys are “All-in” on re-signing their franchise quarterback.
This new report from Jeremy Fowler comes after months of opposing stories that said the quarterback was set to leave in 2025.
Back in March, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said the path was “clear” for Prescott to hit free agency.
Other prominent reports, including insider Adam Schefter, have said teams are preparing for him to be on the open market.
Now, with the ESPN report offering a different tune, we might need to change our expectations of the future in Dallas
His full analysis says the Cowboys don't want Prescott to reach free agency.
That would likely mean extending the All-Pro quarterback's contract during this summer during the build-up to the season.
This puts a serious deadline for the Cowboys to work out a deal before the season kicks off in September.
Of course, that is unless Prescott is open to negotiations mid-season, but that is unlikely.
With this new development, let's take a look at how likely an extension is and what it could mean long-term for Dallas.
How Likely Is an Extension?
As we've discussed, while Fowler's report is good news for Prescott's contract situation, it is just one report of many that say differently.
Thus, there needs to be a conversation about how likely a deal is.
As much as some fans want him gone, we need to look at this realistically.
Quarterbacks with the track record, resumé, and ability of Prescott rarely hit free agency.
He is coming off an MVP-level season, an All-Pro nod, his third Pro Bowl, and a league-best 36-9 touchdown to interception ratio.
Basically, he would get a boatload of money in free agency.
History tells us that quarterbacks like that don't reach the open market, and Prescott is no different.
This means a Prescott contract extension this summer is the most likely outcome.
If there is one thing the Jones family knows how to do, it's closing out a summer contract extension.
We saw it last season with Trevon Diggs and Zack Martin, and who could forget the summer-long Dez Bryant saga that resulted in his extension.
Prescott is a star quarterback with deep ties to the organization and community.
Now that we have reports that indicate an eventual deal, it is hard to see the two sides not coming together.
Prescott Extension Implications
Hypothetically, let's say Fowler's report is fully accurate.
The Cowboys and Prescott push the narratives of this off-season to the side and get a new, likely record-breaking, contract done.
That move would immediately have impacts on Dallas for years to come.
For starters, the media and fans can cut all the drafting a quarterback talk out.
Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers, or any other collegiate quarterbacks will not head to the Cowboys with Prescott on a new contract.
If the deal is the standard 4-years in length, you shouldn't expect a new QB in Dallas for at least a couple of years.
This move would also deliver a major blow to the Trey Lance truthers.
The former top-three picks future with the Cowboys is fully reliant on Prescott walking.
With an extension in place, I would expect the team to seek a trade for Lance either before roster cuts or during the season.
There is simply no future for Lance in Dallas with Prescott signed long-term.
He is too young to settle into a QB2/QB3 role long-term, and he'd rather seek out a job with some potential to get snaps during the season.
That won't exist in Dallas for Lance if an extension goes through.
In short, extending the Prescott contract paves the way for him to lead Dallas for years into the future.
Now, we have to wait and see how this seemingly never-ending storyline ends up.
