Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith wouldn’t give Dak Prescott a long-term contract

Add as preferred source on Google

Heading into 2023 with his contract winding down, Dak Prescott knows that he needs to step up his game to be the Cowboys’ long-term answer.

Ahead of the 2021 NFL season, he signed a four-year deal worth $160 million to stay in Dallas.

In his final year of that contract in 2024, Prescott is set to make $59.4 million against the salary cap, leaving many to wonder if the team should commit to him long-term.

Sooner rather than later, Prescott will want some assurances and a long-term commitment, no doubt, having guided this team to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

Cowboys legendary running back Emmitt Smith, though, is of the opinion that the QB out of Mississippi State might not be the best option for Dallas in the future.

‘I probably wouldn’t’

Smith recently appeared on the ESPN show “Unsportsmanlike” to give his opinions on what Dallas should do with their two-time Pro Bowl pivot.

When asked about offering Dak a long-term deal beyond 2024, Smith responded: “At this point, I probably wouldn’t; I think there are other positions on the football field that we need to have.”

“Offensively, we don’t have the chemistry that’s required; we’re not matching what our defense is doing”, added Smith.

It’s not the first time the three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer has spoken out about Prescott.

In February 2020, Smith suggested Dak should give Dallas a discount on his contract.

On the Adam Lefkoe Show that year, Smith said: “The Cowboys are a marketable organization. If you’re the face of the franchise, instead of taking $35 [million], would you take $28 [million], and leave some for Amari (Cooper) and pick up the [lost money] through endorsements.”

Prescott is coming off one of his worst seasons statistically, passing for 2,860 yards, the second-fewest of his career, while also tossing more interceptions than in any previous campaign as a pro (15).

Although the numbers have dropped a little bit, the thing working in Prescott’s favour as his contract winds down is perhaps the most important thing we are all judged upon as athletes: winning.

Since becoming this team’s starting quarterback in 2016, the Cowboys have only suffered one losing season, though in their 6-10 campaign in 2020, Prescott missed the bulk of the season with an ankle injury.

Cooper Rush did go 4-1 in Prescott’s absence last season, so Prescott does have a capable backup, but it’s hard to imagine he’d be a long-term solution either, given his deal is for two years and $6 million.

For all of the criticism that comes with being the main guy in a market like Dallas, the expectations are to win, and Prescott has won a lot more than he’s lost.

Now, there is also the fact that CeeDee Lamb will become a free agent this summer and an impending big payday is likely in store for Micah Parsons as well, both of which may complicate matters for Jerry Jones.

At the moment, though, I think we have to put our trust in Prescott, not hit the panic button and see where he takes this team.