Dak 'not trying to be' highest-paid QB on next contract

As he looks for a new contract from the Dallas Cowboys, resetting the quarterback market isn't a must for Dak Prescott.

"I'm not trying to be the highest paid, necessarily," Prescott said Friday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. "We'll wait until negotiations begin. Obviously, I want to put this team in the best situation."

He added: "I've been in this situation before, so it's OK, I'm fine."

Prescott's contract expires at the end of the 2024 season and includes no-trade and no-tag clauses. He's scheduled to have a $55.4-million cap hit this year.

Dallas and the star quarterback were expected to negotiate an extension this offseason. However, the Cowboys reportedly have yet to offer Prescott a new contract, and there's no indication that a deal is coming. It's unclear what's next for both sides, but the three-time Pro Bowler said he isn't thinking about next year.

"Honestly, I'm focused on the moment, on the now," Prescott said of his contract situation, per Machota. "Leaving that up to my agent and (Cowboys owner) Jerry (Jones) at this point, and when those begin, I'll be more involved.

"I've talked to Jerry, so I understand where we are, obviously, and Jerry has mentioned the same, so there's not any gray area in that sense. ... We had a great conversation that put us aligned and where we are and moving forward."

A 2016 fourth-round pick, Prescott received the franchise tag in 2020 and 2021 before signing a four-year, $160-million extension with Dallas that included a then-record $66-million signing bonus in March 2021.

"I'm not going to say I fear being here or not. I don't fear either situation, to be candid with you," Prescott said Friday. "Right now, it's with the Dallas Cowboys. That's where I want to be, and that's where I am. That's the focus. After this season, we'll see where we're at."

The Mississippi State product is coming off arguably the best season of his NFL career. Prescott led the league in completions (410) and touchdown passes (36) in 2023 to earn a second-team All-Pro berth and finish second in the MVP race.

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