Dak Prescott: The price of his damage to him and the Dallas Cowboys

Dropping Prescott to damage on Sunday is devastating for the Cowboys’ prospects this season, and clearly to him as a participant. However as he begins the lengthy rehabilitation course of, Prescott will probably be pondering the monetary ramifications of his enforced layoff.

The 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr is out of contract on the finish of this season, having come into this season taking part in below a one-year franchise tag value a completely assured $31.4 million.

Earlier than struggling that compound fracture and dislocation of his proper ankle, Prescott had been main the league in passing yards, makes an attempt and completions this season.

If he had saved taking part in on the similar stage, it has been extensively prompt that he may have been in line for the same deal to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Throughout the low season, Mahomes signed a 10-year take care of the Chiefs reportedly value as much as half a billion {dollars}.

Dak Prescott was carted off the field in tears after suffering a serious ankle injury.

New NFL tv contracts

In response to the NFL Community’s Jane Slater in July, the Cowboys had provided Prescott a five-year $175 million contract, with $110 million assured.

Throughout contract negotiations with the Cowboys in the course of the low season, the 27-year previous reportedly most popular a four-year deal in order that he could be a free agent sooner, not lengthy after the brand new NFL tv contracts start — one thing that may considerably increase groups’ wage caps.

The present tv contracts expire in 2022 and, in accordance with CNBC, the brand new offers may double the NFL’s annual media rights income from about $7.5 billion to $15 billion.

Sportscasting estimate that after his season-ending damage, Prescott’s contract gamble and rejection of the $175 million deal could have price him someplace within the area of $144 million.

Nevertheless, this loss is barely true if Prescott had been by no means to take one other snap, and in any case, solely a fraction of the $144 million could be assured. Taking away the $31.4 million Prescott earned by signing his one-year franchise tag contract, the true determine gambled was $78.6 million.

Based mostly on his performances within the first 5 video games of this season although, and the offers taken by different quarterbacks this 12 months comparable to Mahomes’ mega-deal and the four-year $160 million deal signed by the Houston Texans’ Deshaun Watson in September, it’s unlikely a newly provided deal could be something beneath the $175 million already provided to Prescott.

If no deal might be reached once more this 12 months, however the Cowboys determine to franchise tag him once more for the 2021 season, he’ll earn $37,690,800.

The comeback begins

There’s additionally the concern that Prescott could not return the identical participant after a major damage like this.

Prescott’s elder brother Tad is assured of his youthful brother’s capability to bounce again, saying on Twitter: “MVP & Comeback participant of the Yr in the identical season. The battle begins at present Lil bro.”

Dallas is bullish that Prescott will make a superb restoration.

He underwent surgical procedure Sunday night time, and the Cowboys instructed CNN in a press release on Monday that the surgical procedure went efficiently and that Prescott was anticipated to be launched from hospital that very same day.

Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ proprietor and GM, backed Dak to get better totally after the sport on Sunday, saying: “I do know of nobody who’s extra ready, from the attitude of psychological and emotional toughness and willpower, than Dak Prescott to reply and get better from this problem put in entrance of him.

“He’s an inspiration to everybody he touches. He has all of our love and help. And now we have little question that he’ll return to the place of management and function that he brings to our crew.”

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has backed Prescott to come back from injury and reclaim his place as quarterback.

Cowboys vp and Jerry Jones’ son Stephen Jones echoed his father’s ideas, telling 105.3 The Fan on Monday: “He is our future. He is particular. If anybody can overcome something, it could be Dak.

“That is one thing that our docs really feel good that he’ll overcome and are available again higher than ever.”

It is not simply these contained in the group who’re assured of Prescott returning wholesome from damage.

Dr. T.O. Souryal, former Dallas Mavericks head crew doctor of twenty-two years and present medical director at Texas Sports activities Medication and Orthopedic Group, instructed The Athletic that Prescott’s damage is critical however very treatable.

“I’m optimistic for a number of causes,” Souryal stated. “I am optimistic as a result of Dak is wholesome, he is younger, he is in good bodily situation, he will probably be getting the very best medical care accessible, he’ll get the very best rehabilitation and bodily remedy accessible and he has entry to probably the most fashionable gear accessible.

“Issue all of that stuff collectively, I’m optimistic that his restoration will probably be uneventful.”

What stays to be seen, nevertheless, is how Prescott’s bargaining place could be weakened by backup quarterback Andy Dalton.

The 32-year-old Dalton, who made three Professional Bowls as quarterback of the Bengals throughout his eight-year stint in Cincinnati, is likely one of the most skilled backup quarterbacks within the NFL.

Prescott's bargaining position might be dependent on how well backup Andy Dalton performs.

If Dalton leads the Cowboys to a division victory and takes them to the playoffs, and even progress deep into these playoffs, the Cowboys are in a extra highly effective place when negotiating with Prescott. If Dalton fails, then the ball is again in Prescott’s courtroom.

Dalton could attempt to emulate the success of Nick Foles. As a backup to the injured Carson Wentz, Foles took the Philadelphia Eagles to Tremendous Bowl victory and gained a Tremendous Bowl MVP gong within the course of.

After failing to carry down the beginning job in Philadelphia, in 2019 Foles went on to safe a four-year $88 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, with $50.1 million assured and price as much as $102 million in incentives.

A 12 months later, he was traded to the Chicago Bears, the place this season he has gained the beginning job from Mitchell Trubisky.