Sports

With Dak Prescott's expansion, Cowboys tradition is on free throw line

.Todd Bishop, ESPN Staff WriterSep 8, 2024, 11:50 AM ETCloseTodd Archer is actually an NFL media reporter at ESPN as well as covers the Dallas Cowboys. Bishop has dealt with the NFL given that 1997 as well as Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010. You can follow him on Twitter at @toddarcher. FRISCO, Texas-- Once Dak Prescott has signed one more mega-contract to become the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback, nevertheless several years he has left behind will be about legacy.He has his funds. Prior to authorizing the absolute most recent deal, he moneyed in more than $160 thousand, with a little bit greater than $4 thousand on his rookie deal (2016-19), $31.4 thousand on the franchise tag in 2020, and $126 thousand coming from 2021 to 2023. As well as he can gain $240 million on his most current bargain, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.But so as for Prescott to relocate from a good statistical quarterback to some of the very best in Cowboys history, he needs to carry out one thing he has actually refrained yet: come to a Super Dish. Perhaps even succeed it.It is actually certainly not totally fair, but those are actually the standards in Dallas set through Hallway of Famers Roger Staubach as well as Troy Aikman.Prescott has actually done pretty much everything else in his very first 8 years as the starting quarterback. He has set the staff record for touchdown comes on a season (37 ). Due to the end of next time, he must exceed Tony Romo (34,183) as the franchise innovator in passing yards. He is actually 45 touchdown passes timid of Romo's record (247 ). He has actually won the NFC East 4 opportunities. He has been to the Pro Dish. In 2023, he had his ideal period and also was named All-Pro and completed second in MVP voting. He was named the champion of the Walter Payton Guy of the Year award.Best of NFL Nation u2022 Impressive attempt to send Packers, Eagles to South America u2022 Timeline of Goff's remarkable Lions rebirth u2022 Saints urgent in Year 3 under Dennis Allen u2022 Rams finding vengeance in Detroit u2022 Cowboys, McCarthy find opportunity in 2024.Yet he has certainly not surpassed the second sphere of the playoffs, and the smell from the wild-card reduction to the Eco-friendly Bay Packers in January still hangs over the whole entire organization.To perform what he is actually refrained yet, Prescott may be asked to perform additional with less-- in part, due to his contract, although the Cowboys were able to sign CeeDee Lamb to a four-year agreement expansion on Aug. 26. Staffs along with high-priced quarterbacks-- like Buffalo grass's Josh Allen, Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, Cincinnati's Joe Shelter as well as the Chargers' Justin Herbert-- have had to bring in business decisions at various other positions.The Cowboys at first asked Prescott to do additional along with much less in 2018 without a real No. 1 receiver, as well as when that carried out certainly not work out, they traded for wide receiver Amari Cooper, giving up a first-round pick to the Raiders.Entering his nine time, Prescott is actually a various quarterback than he was actually when entering his third. He comprehends the video game even more. He understands his game even more. He understands defenses more.In 2024, he'll need to be far better than he has been actually, as the Cowboys transfer to a running-back-by-committee strategy and also the might begin two novices on the repulsive line. He needs to become far better while encountering a schedule that includes seven games versus 2023 playoff teams in the 1st 11 weeks.After this time, the Cowboys could possibly look fully different.This may be the last years of franchise stalwarts secure Zack Martin, a future Hall of Famer, and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. If they each depart after this period, Prescott will be actually the longest-tenured Cattle herder, given that fellow 2016 draft pick Ezekiel Elliott took an one-year hiatus from Dallas in 2023 for a stint with the New England Patriots.This offseason, the Cowboys bid farewell to left deal with Tyron Smith, a potential Lobby of Famer, facility Tyler Biadasz, operating back Tony Pollard and also defensive end Dorance Armstrong, among others, as Dallas prepped for manage Prescott, CeeDee Lamb as well as Micah Parsons. The only distinctive enhancements were rejuvenating Elliott and also linebacker Eric Kendricks in totally free firm, as Chamber pot Jones' interpretation of 'all-in' seemed to be to be different than what a lot of others thought.But Jones is actually no question all-in on Prescott right now, regardless of whether it took some negotiating opportunity to obtain there.If Prescott, entering his nine time, participates in out the bargain, he will definitely be the longest-tenured starting quarterback in franchise business history. Aikman was the Cowboys' starter for 12 times, Romo started for nine as well as Staubach for eight.Since 1980, the only quarterback to wait longer to visit a Super Bowl for the very first time with the nightclub that composed him was Ken Anderson, that resided in his 10th season as Cincinnati's full-time starter. Matt Ryan and Peyton Manning mosted likely to their 1st Super Disheses along with Atlanta as well as Indianapolis, specifically, in their ninth periods as the permanent starters.That's the obstacle Prescott faces in defining his tradition on the field.