Jerry Jones Discusses Dak Prescott’s Future
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has expressed his vision for a long-term future with quarterback Dak Prescott. Jones mentioned that circumstances “change every day” and a new contract for Prescott “can happen.” He avoided comparing Prescott’s situation to that of recently extended Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, stating he gets in trouble when making comparisons. Jones expressed his eagerness for Prescott to prove himself as the best while wearing the Cowboys star.
Dak Prescott’s Perspective on Contract Negotiations
Prescott discussed his contract situation with Jane Slater and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network. He expressed his desire to continue with the Cowboys but acknowledged the business side of football and the need to be open-minded about his future. Prescott emphasized that football is a business involving significant money and many people who need to be paid, highlighting there are two sides to contract negotiations.
Prescott’s Career Stats and Contract Details
Dak Prescott has been with the Dallas Cowboys since 2016. He has compiled a record of 73 wins and 41 losses. His career stats include 29,459 passing yards and 202 touchdowns. Prescott is entering the final year of his current contract and could become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season. To retain him, Dallas will likely need to offer a substantial salary.
Comparison with Jordan Love
Jordan Love recently signed a four-year, $220 million contract with an annual salary of $55 million. Given Prescott’s experience and proven ability, he could demand a contract exceeding Love’s value. If the Cowboys do not intend to pay him what he demands, another team likely will. Both parties aim for Prescott to perform well on the field to increase his value while negotiating a mutually beneficial contract.
Jordan Love’s Contract Extension
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love signed a four-year, $220 million extension. The contract includes the largest signing bonus in NFL history at $75 million. $160.3 million of the contract is guaranteed, with $155 million in new full guarantees. Love will be eligible for free agency at age 30.
Jordan Love’s Performance and 2023 Season Highlights
In his first season as Green Bay’s starting quarterback, Love had a slow start with a record of 3-6 and threw 14 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. He improved significantly in the second half of the season, finishing with a total of 32 touchdown passes (second most in NFL) and only three interceptions. Love threw for over 4,000 yards (4,159) and over 30 touchdowns (32), becoming one of five players in NFL history to achieve this in their first full-time starting season.
Green Bay Packers’ Roster Moves and Coaching Changes
The Packers replaced long-time running back Aaron Jones with former Raiders Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs ($48 million/4 years). They also signed top free agent safety Xavier McKinney ($67 million/4 years) and drafted Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan to replace oft-injured All-Pro David Bakhtiari. Defensive coordinator Joe Berry was replaced by Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley, who employs an aggressive press man coverage defense.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst’s Gamble
General Manager Brian Gutekunst traded up in the draft to select Jordan Love after reaching the NFC Championship game under an Aaron Rodgers-led team. The gamble has paid off as evidenced by Love’s performance and contract extension. Unlike Rodgers’ first two seasons as a starter where no playoff games were won, Love led the Packers to win a playoff game in his first year as a starter. Rodgers eventually led the Packers to a Super Bowl XLV title in his third season; expectations are high for Love’s future contributions.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Contract Extension
The Miami Dolphins have agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The deal includes $167.1 million guaranteed. This contract makes Tagovailoa one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history on a per-year basis. Miami selected Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Other notable quarterbacks from the same draft year include Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts.
Tagovailoa’s Performance and Future Prospects
Tagovailoa had an inconsistent start to his career, leading to trade rumors and speculation about other quarterback options for Miami. Despite these rumors, Miami decided to keep Tagovailoa after he showed significant improvement over the past two seasons. In the 2022 season, Tagovailoa threw for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while leading the Dolphins to an 8-5 record as a starter and helping them reach the playoffs. In the following season (2023), he completed 69.3% of his passes for a league-best 4,624 yards, along with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He became the first Dolphins QB selected to the Pro Bowl since Dan Marino in 1995.
2024 NFL Training Camp Holdout Tracker
Several players are currently holding out or holding in during the 2024 NFL training camp. CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys is holding out of camp, seeking a new contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers is also holding out, possibly seeking additional guarantees at the end of his current six-year extension signed in 2021. Brandon Aiyuk of the 49ers reported to camp but declined to practice, seeking a long-term extension or trade. Haason Reddick of the New York Jets is holding out of camp after being acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles in April.
Other Notable NFL Stories
Other notable NFL stories include Steelers‘ Wilson missing practice sessions, Chris Jones out of Chiefs camp due to a groin injury, and Mekhi Becton seeking a starting position at guard. Additionally, the Raiders are having a quarterback competition, and Rodgers and Ringo are battling for the starting cornerback job.
In conclusion, the past week in the NFL has been filled with significant contract extensions, player performances, and team dynamics. As the season approaches, these developments will undoubtedly shape the future of the league.
