What The Franchise Tag Signing of Dak Prescott Means For the Cowboys

It was a good day for Cowboys fans over the weekend as Dak Prescott agreed to sign the $31.4 million franchise tender, ESPN reported. The Cowboys and Prescott have until Jul. 15 to agree on a long-term deal. After the news hit, Dak took to Instagram on Monday to post a picture of him in a Cowboy hat with no caption, signaling that he is here to stay in Dallas.

Dak Prescott (_4dak) via Instagram on Monday after his franchise tag signing

Prescott has been the face of the Cowboys ever since his debut in 2016. Since his debut, Prescott has played in all 67 games for the Cowboys with 102 touchdown passes, 65.1 percent completion rate and a total of 16,572 yards passed.

It has been a seesaw of success for Prescott in his first four seasons with the Cowboys. In his first rookie of the year season, Prescott led the Cowboys to an impressive NFC East championship season with a 13-3 record and a trip to the playoffs, which ultimately ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Packers. Following that year, the Cowboys failed to make the playoffs in 2017 after ending the year 9-7. However, they made it up by making the playoffs in 2018 with a 10-6 record and another NFC East championship. As the trend continued, the Cowboys failed to make the playoffs in 2019 with a disappointing 8-8 record to end the season,

Jerry Jones seems pretty confident in keeping Prescott long term, telling ESPN’s Ed Werden “When we’re ready to pay, he’ll be there”. Prescott will now be the highest-paid Cowboy in history, and it could be more once the Cowboys and Prescott can work out a long-term deal.

Prescott is not the only Cowboy getting big money this off-season. Wide receiver Amari Cooper scored a huge five-year, $100 million deal in March, CBS Sports reported.

For the Cowboys to win the Super Bowl this season is an overstep, since they have not appeared in a Super Bowl since 1995. However, winning the NFC East and making a promising playoff run is a must for them. The Cowboys will be entering the season with a revamped coaching staff, starting with head coach Mike McCarthy. With a Super Bowl ring already in his resume, McCarthy has the experience and the knowledge to help build the Cowboys into a Super Bowl-winning team. Another new edition to the Cowboys coaching staff is defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, previously the linebacker coach for the New Orleans Saints. After a struggling defensive year for the Cowboys in 2019, Nolan will bring a different look to the Cowboy’s defensive line in the upcoming season. Also, new editions to McCarthy’s coaching staff is assistant head coach Rob Davis, special team coordinator John Fassel, defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, quarterback coach Doug Nussmeier, offensive line coach Joe Philbin, tight end coach Lunda Wells, defensive back coach Maurice Linguist, running back coach Skip Peete and wide receiver coach Adam Henry.

Not only will the Cowboys have a new and improve coaching staff, but they will be accompanied by many talented players on the squad. The Cowboys offensive line is looking dangerous for opposing teams’ defenses with the likes of Prescott, first-round draft pick wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, running back Ezekiel Elliot, tight end Blake Jarwin and wide receivers Cooper and Michael Gallup.

The defense, however, does have some questions. After an abysmal performance by the defensive line last season, the Cowboys must focus on improving their defense when training camps open in late July. However, with the signings of defensive end Gerald McCoy and defensive tackle Dontari Poe from the Panthers and linebacker Aldon Smith from the Raiders, it may be enough to fix the Cowboys defensive woes.

The league should prepare to see a different Dallas Cowboys in 2020. With a revamped coaching staff and countless talent on the squad, the Cowboys could be a heavy contender for the NFC championship this season.