Sports

With Dak Prescott's expansion, Cowboys legacy is on the line

.Todd Bishop, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 8, 2024, 11:50 AM ETCloseTodd Bishop is actually an NFL reporter at ESPN as well as deals with the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has actually dealt with the NFL considering that 1997 and Dallas considering that 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010. You can easily follow him on Twitter at @toddarcher. FRISCO, Texas-- Since Dak Prescott has actually signed yet another mega-contract to be the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback, however many years he has left behind are going to be about legacy.He possesses his amount of money. Prior to authorizing the most latest deal, he cashed in much more than $160 million, along with a bit much more than $4 million on his novice offer (2016-19), $31.4 thousand on the franchise business tag in 2020, and also $126 million from 2021 to 2023. As well as he may get $240 thousand on his latest offer, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.But so as for Prescott to move from a very good statistical quarterback to among the greatest in Cowboys background, he must perform one thing he has refrained however: get to a Super Dish. Maybe even gain it.It is actually certainly not completely reasonable, but those are the criteria in Dallas established through Hall of Famers Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.Prescott has carried out nearly everything else in his very first eight years as the starting quarterback. He has actually prepared the staff record for goal comes on a season (37 ). By the edge of following season, he needs to outperform Tony Romo (34,183) as the franchise business leader in passing gardens. He is 45 touchdown passes shy of Romo's record (247 ). He has won the NFC East 4 times. He has actually been actually to the Pro Bowl. In 2023, he had his absolute best time and was called All-Pro and completed second in MVP ballot. He was called the champion of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.Best of NFL Country u2022 Epic effort to send Packers, Eagles to South America u2022 Timetable of Goff's amazing Cougars rebirth u2022 Saints urgent in Year 3 under Dennis Allen u2022 Rams looking for retribution in Detroit u2022 Cowboys, McCarthy observe option in 2024.Yet he has not surpassed the second around of the playoffs, and also the odor coming from the wild-card loss to the Eco-friendly Gulf Packers in January still hangs over the whole entire organization.To do what he's not done yet, Prescott could be inquired to carry out additional along with a lot less-- partially, due to his deal, although the Cowboys were able to sign CeeDee Lamb to a four-year contract expansion on Aug. 26. Teams with costly quarterbacks-- including Buffalo grass's Josh Allen, Kansas Metropolitan area's Patrick Mahomes, Cincinnati's Joe Lair and also the Chargers' Justin Herbert-- have had to bring in service choices at other positions.The Cowboys initially talked to Prescott to accomplish more with a lot less in 2018 without a real No. 1 recipient, and also when that performed not work out, they traded for pass receiver Amari Cooper, losing hope a first-round pick to the Raiders.Entering his 9th season, Prescott is a various quarterback than he was when entering his third. He recognizes the video game much more. He understands his activity much more. He understands defenses more.In 2024, he'll need to be far better than he has actually been, as the Cowboys move to a running-back-by-committee strategy as well as the may begin 2 rookies on the offending line. He needs to be better while facing a routine that includes 7 games versus 2023 playoff groups in the initial 11 weeks.After this period, the Cowboys might look fully different.This might be the ultimate years of franchise stalwarts secure Zack Martin, a future Hall of Famer, and also defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. If they both depart hereafter period, Prescott will definitely be the longest-tenured Cattle herder, because fellow 2016 draught choice Ezekiel Elliott took a 1 year reprieve from Dallas in 2023 for a stint along with the New England Patriots.This offseason, the Cowboys bid farewell to left handle Tyron Smith, a future Hallway of Famer, facility Tyler Biadasz, managing back Tony Pollard and protective end Dorance Armstrong, and many more, as Dallas prepped for handle Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and also Micah Parsons. The only remarkable add-ons were actually bringing back Elliott as well as linebacker Eric Kendricks in free of cost company, as Chamber pot Jones' definition of 'all-in' seemed to become various than what many others thought.But Jones is actually certainly all-in on Prescott right now, even if it took some negotiating opportunity to receive there.If Prescott, entering his 9th time, participates in out the deal, he will certainly be the longest-tenured starting quarterback in franchise background. Aikman was actually the Cowboys' starter for 12 times, Romo started for nine and also Staubach for eight.Since 1980, the only quarterback to stand by longer to visit a Super Bowl for the very first time with the nightclub that drafted him was Ken Anderson, that was in his 10th period as Cincinnati's full time starter. Matt Ryan as well as Peyton Manning went to their very first Super Bowls along with Atlanta and also Indianapolis, respectively, in their 9th periods as the permanent starters.That's the obstacle Prescott experiences in describing his legacy on the field.