Just before the 2024 NFL season kicked off, the Dallas Cowboys made headlines by signing quarterback Dak Prescott to a jaw-dropping contract: $240 million over four years, with $231 million guaranteed. This deal, averaging $60 million per year and set to escalate to $74 million in 2026, cemented Prescott as the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history, surpassing stars like Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, and Brock Purdy.
However, according to Bleacher Report, this monumental contract was one of the NFL’s worst decisions, ranking Prescott’s deal as the second-worst in the league, only behind Deshaun Watson’s. The outlet criticized the Cowboys for delaying negotiations until just before the regular season, after other quarterbacks like Jared Goff and Jordan Love secured their own lucrative contracts. This hesitation led Dallas to overpay, making Prescott’s $60 million annual salary at least $5 million higher than any other player, including elite quarterbacks like Burrow and Allen.
Bleacher Report also pointed out the Cowboys’ belief that keeping Prescott happy and under center would propel them to a Super Bowl, a goal the franchise hasn’t achieved since their last NFC Championship appearance in 1995. “The Cowboys haven’t advanced past the divisional round in nearly three decades,” the report noted, highlighting the immense pressure on Prescott to deliver.
On the surface, Prescott’s individual performance seems to justify his hefty paycheck. His stats and personal accolades paint the picture of a top-tier quarterback, and it’s arguable that Dallas’ postseason struggles can’t be pinned solely on him. Team dynamics, coaching decisions, and roster depth all play a role in playoff success. Yet, as Bleacher Report argues, when a player commands such a massive contract, the expectations are sky-high. At minimum, a quarterback of Prescott’s caliber and pay grade should lead his team to a conference championship game.
Compounding the issue, Prescott’s injury history raises further concerns about the contract’s value. In 2024, he missed nine games, following five missed games in 2022 and 11 in 2020. These absences have forced the Cowboys to rely heavily on backup quarterbacks, an unacceptable scenario for a player earning such a premium. For Prescott’s deal to be worth its cost, he must stay healthy and lead Dallas on a deep postseason run—something no Cowboys quarterback has done since Troy Aikman’s era in 1995.
While Prescott’s talent is undeniable, the combination of his contract’s financial burden, persistent injuries, and the team’s postseason drought has thrust him into an unflattering spotlight. To silence critics and justify his historic deal, Prescott will need to rewrite the Cowboys’ playoff narrative, starting with a healthy and dominant season