Sports

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

.Todd Bishop, ESPN Staff WriterSep 8, 2024, 11:50 AM ETCloseTodd Bishop is an NFL press reporter at ESPN and also deals with the Dallas Cowboys. Bishop has covered the NFL given that 1997 and Dallas given that 2003. He signed up with ESPN in 2010. You can easily observe him on Twitter at @toddarcher. FRISCO, Texas-- Since Dak Prescott has authorized yet another mega-contract to be the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback, nevertheless several years he has actually left behind are going to have to do with legacy.He has his cash. Just before authorizing the most latest package, he cashed in more than $160 million, along with a bit greater than $4 million on his newbie package (2016-19), $31.4 thousand on the franchise tag in 2020, as well as $126 million coming from 2021 to 2023. And also he may gain $240 million on his newest package, depending on to ESPN's Adam Schefter.But so as for Prescott to relocate from a good statistical quarterback to some of the most effective in Cowboys record, he must carry out one thing he has actually not done yet: reach a Super Dish. Maybe even win it.It is certainly not entirely fair, however those are the specifications in Dallas established by Lobby of Famers Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.Prescott has done almost every little thing else in his first eight years as the starting quarterback. He has actually specified the crew document for touchdown passes in a time (37 ). Due to the end of following time, he must exceed Tony Romo (34,183) as the franchise business forerunner in passing yards. He is 45 touchdown passes timid of Romo's record (247 ). He has actually gained the NFC East 4 times. He has been actually to the Pro Dish. In 2023, he had his best time and also was actually named All-Pro and also completed second in MVP ballot. He was called the victor of the Walter Payton Male of the Year award.Best of NFL Nation u2022 Epic attempt to send out Packers, Eagles to South America u2022 Timeline of Goff's amazing Cougars resurgence u2022 Saints urgent in Year 3 under Dennis Allen u2022 Rams seeking vengeance in Detroit u2022 Cowboys, McCarthy find possibility in 2024.Yet he has actually certainly not surpassed the 2nd around of the playoffs, and also the stench from the wild-card reduction to the Environment-friendly Gulf Packers in January still looms the whole entire organization.To do what he's refrained but, Prescott may be asked to do even more with much less-- in part, due to his deal, although the Cowboys had the ability to sign CeeDee Sheep to a four-year deal extension on Aug. 26. Staffs along with high-priced quarterbacks-- including Buffalo's Josh Allen, Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, Cincinnati's Joe Den as well as the Chargers' Justin Herbert-- have actually needed to bring in business selections at other positions.The Cowboys originally asked Prescott to accomplish even more with much less in 2018 without a true No. 1 receiver, as well as when that carried out not work out, they traded for wide receiver Amari Cooper, giving up a first-round pick to the Raiders.Entering his ninth period, Prescott is a various quarterback than he was when entering his 3rd. He recognizes the video game more. He recognizes his video game even more. He knows defenses more.In 2024, he'll need to be much better than he has been, as the Cowboys transfer to a running-back-by-committee method as well as the may begin pair of newbies on the annoying line. He needs to have to be far better while encountering a timetable that includes 7 games versus 2023 playoff teams in the 1st 11 weeks.After this season, the Cowboys could look completely different.This can be the final years of franchise stalwarts protect Zack Martin, a potential Hallway of Famer, and also defensive side DeMarcus Lawrence. If they both leave after this season, Prescott will definitely be the longest-tenured Cattle herder, considering that fellow 2016 draft choice Ezekiel Elliott took an one-year reprieve from Dallas in 2023 for a job with the New England Patriots.This offseason, the Cowboys bid farewell to left address Tyron Johnson, a future Hallway of Famer, center Tyler Biadasz, managing back Tony Pollard as well as protective end Dorance Armstrong, among others, as Dallas prepped for handle Prescott, CeeDee Sheep and also Micah Parsons. The only distinctive additions were restoring Elliott as well as linebacker Eric Kendricks in free of charge firm, as Chamber pot Jones' definition of 'all-in' seemed to become various than what numerous others thought.But Jones is certainly all-in on Prescott right now, even though it took some negotiating time to receive there.If Prescott, entering his 9th period, participates in out the bargain, he will certainly be the longest-tenured starting quarterback in franchise business past. Aikman was actually the Cowboys' starter for 12 seasons, Romo began for 9 and Staubach for eight.Since 1980, the only quarterback to hang around longer to go to a Super Dish for the very first time along with the nightclub that prepared him was actually Ken Anderson, who was in his 10th period as Cincinnati's permanent starter. Matt Ryan as well as Peyton Manning headed to their initial Super Disheses along with Atlanta and also Indianapolis, respectively, in their ninth times as the full-time starters.That's the challenge Prescott encounters in describing his heritage on the field.