“I want him to stay with the Cowboys for the rest of my life”

CLEVELAND — Not only have the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott agreed to a new contract extension just hours before the start of the 2024 regular season against the Cleveland Browns, but the deal is also historic in its nature and makes Prescott the highest-paid player in NFL history, as well as receiving the highest guaranteed salary of all time.

Negotiations continued until the last remaining deadline, although both sides made it clear that September 8 was not a real deadline and Cowboys management couldn’t be happier to get the deal done.

“He is one of the best leaders I have ever known,” said Executive Vice President and Director of Player Personnel Stephen Jones. “He is the right man for us.”

Owner and CEO Jerry Jones shares this view.

“I’m glad it’s done,” said the Hall of Fame owner. “That was the time when we were able to get it just right. We were ready to go and it was crucial. I’ve seen so many things that were worth doing that weren’t done because the timing was missed. Opening Day up here against Cleveland was a great time to make it happen.”

“I think we all felt a little energy to get involved and get to a point where we could say yes. I knew all along what a great player Dak is and I’m pleased that everyone understands that I understand (that).”

That’s putting it mildly: The All-Pro quarterback and 2023 NFL MVP runner-up received a four-year contract worth over $240 million, including a record-breaking $231 million guaranteed.

“The guaranteed money is a big commitment for the next five years in our future,” Jerry Jones said. “A lot of me believe Dak is our quarterback for the rest of my time. And that’s not just limited to the terms of this contract.”

That’s an extremely profound statement that some may not understand, but it clearly underscores that Prescott is already in line for a potential third mega-deal in the future. That will, of course, depend on how the next half-decade plays out, which now includes All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb through the 2028 season.

Jones says this marriage is a two-way street and that all signs point to an optimistic future that allows the Cowboys to avoid the infamous quarterback purgatory.

“Dak is committed to us,” Jones added. “I think that’s pretty special. I think you have to be somebody special to deserve what we did here with him, and I think he is. … I have a lot of confidence in him.”

“He brings so much to the table. He’s someone the team follows.”

And they will continue to do so for a very long time.