FRISCO — Dak Prescott loves the new theme for the 2024 Dallas Cowboys. Besides, there aren’t many people who could be more rooted in the current state of the team.
Prescott is the third longest-tenured Cowboys player behind veterans Zack Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence. He’s been the starting quarterback since he arrived in 2015. And now, the reigning second-team All-Pro — at least for the moment — is starting down the possibility of hitting free agency after this season is over.
No big deal, Prescott says.
“They’re working,” Prescott said in regard to negotiations between his agent, Todd France, and the Cowboys.
“I’m still going to be working. That’s the only thing that matters to me.”
Prescott has made it clear that his focus is now on the season. On facing the Cleveland Browns. On chasing a Super Bowl with the team that drafted him — the team that held his NFL fanhood from early on.
Being at the crossroads between the present and the future — at least potentially at this present moment — should be enough to occupy some place in Prescott’s mind. He says that’s not the case, however. He can compartmentalize with the best of them.
The reasoning: it’s because of his roots.
“I’ve never played the game for that. I play the game for the pure love, for the guys in that locker room,” Prescott said. “This game has always brought me something that not a lot of things in life do. That’s the type of peace it does.”
It’s why Prescott is so fond of the team’s theme this season.
“It goes to my roots. It goes to my mom. It goes to my brothers. It’s why I love this game. This game is rooted in me. Thinking about the days in the trailer park, playing in the field behind the house with my brothers, being the youngest of the group. That’s why the joy for this game is so big. Because that’s where I fell in love with it,” Prescott said. “It’s those guys that I think about: my brothers, the love that my mom put into this game — for not just me, but my brothers as well. As Mike referenced it, the first five years: the roots are growing and the roots are getting strong, but you don’t necessarily see what comes out of the ground until it’s time. He was talking about the Chinese bamboo [tree].
“When you’re doing everything right, and you’re putting in the work you need to, you’ll reap the rewards when it’s time.”
Eventually, a time will come when Prescott gets paid. A source told DLLS earlier this week that the Cowboys and Prescott are close to a new deal. The Cowboys could make him the highest-paid player in the NFL this week. Or, Prescott could go into free agency where he could get even more money from either the Cowboys or another suitor.
No matter what, Prescott has the leverage. He has a no-tag clause, a no-trade clause, and a $40 million cap hit already in 2025, even if he’s not on the team. All three current Cowboys quarterbacks are also set to be free agents next year.
Prescott reiterated on Thursday that the season opener is not a deadline for a new deal. They could agree to something during the season if it works out that way. Meanwhile, his focus is rooted in something else.
“What motivates me on being here, honestly, [is] to be the quarterback who does it, who wins it,” Prescott said about chasing a Super Bowl with the Cowboys specifically. “I don’t think winning it any other place would be the same as winning it here. That is A, No. 1 in wanting to be here, to be honest with you.”
