Sports

With Dak Prescott's extension, Cowboys tradition is on the line

.Todd Bishop, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 8, 2024, 11:50 AM ETCloseTodd Archer is actually an NFL media reporter at ESPN and also covers the Dallas Cowboys. Bishop has actually dealt with the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010. You may observe him on Twitter at @toddarcher. FRISCO, Texas-- Now that Dak Prescott has signed yet another mega-contract to be the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback, however several years he has actually left will be about legacy.He has his cash. Just before signing the absolute most recent offer, he cashed in more than $160 thousand, with a little bit more than $4 thousand on his rookie deal (2016-19), $31.4 thousand on the franchise tag in 2020, and also $126 million from 2021 to 2023. As well as he can easily get $240 thousand on his most up-to-date bargain, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.But so as for Prescott to move coming from an excellent analytical quarterback to some of the very best in Cowboys background, he must perform something he has actually refrained from doing but: reach a Super Bowl. Maybe even gain it.It is not completely decent, however those are actually the requirements in Dallas prepared by Lobby of Famers Roger Staubach as well as Troy Aikman.Prescott has actually performed practically everything else in his initial eight years as the starting quarterback. He has actually specified the crew record for touchdown comes on a season (37 ). By the edge of upcoming period, he must outperform Tony Romo (34,183) as the franchise leader in passing gardens. He is 45 goal passes bashful of Romo's file (247 ). He has actually gained the NFC East 4 times. He has been actually to the Pro Dish. In 2023, he possessed his absolute best period and also was called All-Pro and finished second in MVP voting. He was actually named the victor of the Walter Payton Guy of the Year award.Best of NFL Country u2022 Impressive initiative to deliver Packers, Eagles to Brazil u2022 Timetable of Goff's remarkable Lions revival u2022 Saints urgent in Year 3 under Dennis Allen u2022 Rams finding vengeance in Detroit u2022 Cowboys, McCarthy observe option in 2024.But he has actually not gotten past the 2nd around of the playoffs, and also the stench from the wild-card reduction to the Veggie Gulf Packers in January still hangs over the whole entire organization.To perform what he is actually refrained from doing yet, Prescott can be inquired to do additional along with a lot less-- partly, due to his contract, although the Cowboys were able to sign CeeDee Lamb to a four-year arrangement expansion on Aug. 26. Staffs along with high-priced quarterbacks-- like Buffalo grass's Josh Allen, Kansas Metropolitan area's Patrick Mahomes, Cincinnati's Joe Burrow and the Chargers' Justin Herbert-- have actually must make service decisions at various other positions.The Cowboys in the beginning inquired Prescott to perform more along with less in 2018 without a real No. 1 recipient, as well as when that did not work out, they traded for wide receiver Amari Cooper, losing hope a first-round choice to the Raiders.Entering his 9th period, Prescott is actually a various quarterback than he was actually when entering his 3rd. He understands the video game even more. He knows his game extra. He understands defenses more.In 2024, he'll need to have to be better than he has actually been, as the Cowboys transfer to a running-back-by-committee method and the may begin two rookies on the offending line. He requires to be much better while encountering a routine that includes seven video games versus 2023 playoff crews in the first 11 weeks.After this season, the Cowboys could possibly look completely different.This might be the final years of franchise stalwarts guard Zack Martin, a potential Hall of Famer, and also protective end DeMarcus Lawrence. If they each depart after this period, Prescott will be actually the longest-tenured Cattle herder, considering that fellow 2016 draft selection Ezekiel Elliott took an one-year reprieve coming from Dallas in 2023 for a job along with the New England Patriots.This offseason, the Cowboys said goodbye to left take on Tyron Smith, a future Hallway of Famer, facility Tyler Biadasz, managing back Tony Pollard and also defensive end Dorance Armstrong, and many more, as Dallas prepped for manage Prescott, CeeDee Sheep and also Micah Parsons. The only remarkable additions were actually recovering Elliott as well as linebacker Eric Kendricks in free of cost company, as Jerry Jones' interpretation of 'all-in' seemed to be to become different than what many others thought.But Jones is no question all-in on Prescott right now, even though it took some negotiating time to obtain there.If Prescott, entering his ninth season, participates in out the deal, he will certainly be the longest-tenured starting quarterback in franchise past. Aikman was the Cowboys' starter for 12 seasons, Romo started for nine and also Staubach for eight.Since 1980, the only quarterback to hang around longer to visit a Super Bowl for the very first time with the nightclub that composed him was actually Ken Anderson, that resided in his 10th season as Cincinnati's full time starter. Matt Ryan and also Peyton Manning went to their first Super Bowls along with Atlanta Georgia as well as Indianapolis, respectively, in their 9th periods as the permanent starters.That's the obstacle Prescott faces in specifying his legacy on the field.