Prescott motivated to stay as much as deal, ship SB

CLEVELAND — Dak Prescott was in his room on the downtown Cleveland Marriott at Key Tower when the Dallas Cowboys quarterback acquired the decision that he was going to change into the highest-paid participant in NFL historical past.

He was with Ezekiel Elliott, his teammate and closest good friend, and his bodily therapist, Luke Miller, getting his physique prepared for the season opener in opposition to the Cleveland Browns as his agent, Todd France, FaceTimed him with the information: a four-year extension value $240 million with $231 million assured.

“Somewhat emotional name,” Prescott mentioned.

From there have been calls to his girlfriend, Sarah Jane Ramos, and a hiya to his child daughter, M.J. Extra calls went to his advertising staff, monetary advisers and his father. He despatched out a variety of textual content messages as nicely.

No more than an hour later, he was on the staff bus to Huntington Financial institution Area and later led the Cowboys to a 33-17 win in opposition to the Cleveland Browns.

“It really works for everybody and understanding the place this cover goes, simply excited that it is behind us and I can deal with successful video games,” Prescott mentioned.

By the point Prescott performs out the deal in 2028, he might doubtlessly make greater than $400 million in his profession.

However he mentioned a Tremendous Bowl is what issues most.

“It is my solely motivation,” Prescott mentioned. “Maintain up my a part of this deal. Simply ship that. That is my motivation. Proper now it is about celebrating this win tonight. Hell of a win with these guys, excited for this aircraft experience again with them, however then turning the web page tomorrow, getting on to the Saints and taking it one recreation at a time. That’s what is on the forefront of my thoughts. Not the cash. It is about holding up my finish of the deal. And I wish to do it right here.”

In 1989, proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones paid $140 million to purchase the Cowboys and Texas Stadium. He gained three Tremendous Bowls in his first 5 years as proprietor, however the Cowboys’ championship drought has stretched to twenty-eight years.

“I do know that these numbers are past something that I might have ever imagined,” Jones mentioned of the assured cash in Prescott’s deal.

If Prescott performed out the season with out a deal, the Cowboys would have had a $40 million wage cap hit in 2025 to associate with not having a franchise quarterback. In the end, they weren’t going to take the prospect.

“This was the factor to do for what we’re right here for — and that’s to win a championship,” Jones mentioned. “I do know our followers know that. I am shocked that anybody would suppose that something wanting — they may disagree with the choice — however something wanting a dedication is simply not the case with me.

“I gave every little thing I ever had or hoped to must get an opportunity to be part of the Cowboys. And it is past my fondest goals the place we stand at the moment.”

It’s past Prescott’s as nicely. A fourth-round decide in 2016, Prescott might find yourself because the franchise’s all-time chief in wins, passing yards, landing passes, makes an attempt and completions.

Prescott, 31, completed final season with 4,516 passing yards and a league-leading 36 landing passes. The three-time Professional Bowler is the third-leading passer in Cowboys historical past, behind solely Tony Romo and Troy Aikman, and his 203 profession landing passes path solely Romo (248) on the franchise’s all-time checklist.

Prescott has directed the Cowboys to the postseason 5 occasions in his profession (2016, 2018, 2021-23), however they haven’t gotten previous the divisional spherical. In 2016, the Cowboys had home-field benefit and misplaced within the divisional spherical to the Green Bay Packers.

There may be strain being the Cowboys’ quarterback and much more strain now in being the highest-paid quarterback within the NFL by $5 million on common. Inexperienced Bay’s Jordan Love, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence all make $55 million a season.

“I put essentially the most strain on myself,” mentioned Prescott, who accomplished 19 of 32 passes for 179 yards and a landing Sunday. “Easy as that. I am not proud of my … efficiency at the moment and that is what motivates me. That is what pushes me. You attempt to be — and I say strive — you attempt to be bummed about it within the locker room, however it is a win on the highway, which is sweet for the staff and then you definitely acquired teammates telling you it was a hell of a day for you.

“I put essentially the most strain on myself. No person’s a much bigger critic than I’m personally, and I anticipate greatness out of myself with my requirements, my expectations and the identical for this staff.

“So there is not any added strain.”