NFL insider shares ominous contract update about Cowboys' Dak Prescott

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio suggested on Friday, seemingly out of nowhere, that the Dallas Cowboys aren't close to signing quarterback Dak Prescott to a contract extension. 

"By opting for a modest kicking of the salary-cap can in 2024, the Cowboys embark on the last year of quarterback Dak Prescott’s contract at a cap number of $55.455M," Florio explained. "With no ability to tag him in 2025 and no apparent inclination to extend the deal now, the Cowboys seem to be willing to let him finish the contract and see what happens." 

Shortly after it was learned earlier this week that the Cowboys and Prescott had restructured his deal, Nick Eatman of the team's website said the move could ultimately help Dallas sign the 30-year-old "to a long-term extension, which seems to be the ultimate goal." Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones mentioned last week that Prescott had "been willing to work with us" regarding an extension. 

"We've had great discussions about his contract," Jones added. "He's all in on working with us." 

Florio theorized that the Cowboys might want Prescott to learn what market exists for his services next March after Kirk Cousins inked a contract worth "$10M per year less than the current high-end average" to leave the Minnesota Vikings for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. 

"For now, they’ve decided not to let the fear of either his current cap number or his future departure force them to pay more than they want to pay," Florio said about the Cowboys' treatment of Prescott this offseason. "Come next March, Dak will have to decide whether to take the Cowboys’ best offer or to start from scratch with a new team that will have a far lower national profile than the one for which he currently plays." 

While Prescott holds a lackluster 2-5 career playoff record, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has repeatedly backed his long-time QB1 as a great leader for the storied franchise. Nevertheless, one can't help but wonder what Florio may know about Jones' mindset, considering there is, on paper, plenty of time for the Cowboys and Prescott to work something out before Week 1 in September. 

Is Jones having second thoughts about Prescott being the right quarterback to guide the Cowboys to their first NFC Championship Game since 1996?