Dak Prescott has been the face of America’s Team for years now. But with his Cowboys future clouded by contract uncertainty, he ain’t mincing words. At a cancer fundraiser, the quarterback tackled the elephant in the room head-on.

“I don’t fear being here or not. I don’t fear either situation,” Prescott proclaimed when asked about potentially leaving Dallas. Clear as day – he’s not stressing over where he’ll be slinging it next season. Dallas’s latest disappointing 48-32 home loss to the Green Bay Packers raised some serious questions. In fact, it marked that the team has now failed to reach the NFC Championship in 29 straight seasons, piling more angst onto an already restless fanbase.

The former Mississippi State standout has been deadlocked in extension talks with Jerry Jones and Co. With his current deal expiring after 2024, Prescott controls massive leverage, including a no-trade clause. Yet he insists this saga hasn’t soured him on staying a Cowboy.

“To be candid, I love to play this game and better myself as a player and teammate. Right now, Dallas is where I want to be,” Prescott stated. “After the season, let’s see where I’m at.” For Cowboys Nation, those comments brim with both hope and dread. On one hand, their franchise QB voices his devotion to the squad. But that “let’s see” qualifier also leaves the door open for an unthinkable divorce down the road.

The upcoming draft will also showcase how the Cowboys will shape their roster and if it will allow space enough for Prescott to stay the following year. Despite labeling 2023 an “all-in” year, Dallas has been brutally inactive this offseason, with their $13.7 million spent on free agents. Their reluctance to pay up appears directly tied to the looming mega deals looming for Prescott, star wideout CeeDee Lamb, and defensive terror Micah Parsons.

Nonetheless, the team will try to regain Prescott as he has been one of the key players for franchise and his records over the years vouch for the same. But, whether the financial cap will allow the same, remains to be seen for the upcoming season. Given Cowboys’ current run in the draft arena are they delaying new contracts? If so, will this have a great impact on their championship chances?

Dak Prescott won’t fear the reaper, but will the Cowboys pay the piper?

Prescott’s willingness to “bet on myself” by playing out 2024 speaks volumes about his self-belief. But for Dallas, allowing their QB1 to hit the open market would be a colossal failure with dire consequences. Beyond losing their on-field leader, the dead money attached to Prescott’s previous contract restructures could deal a catastrophic $40.5 million cap hit in 2025. It’s a financial throat punch exemplifying Dallas’ struggles managing elite young talent.

The Cowboys’ perpetual reluctance to pay their stars has also trickled down to Lamb and Parsons’ extension talks. By implementing similar delay tactics used with Prescott early in his career, the ‘Boys now find themselves skating on thin contractual ice across multiple fronts. Franchise building is an intricate game of prioritization and smart cap management.

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But continually pinching pennies on foundational players can leave fans cynical about Dallas’ team-building sincerity. While Prescott claims he doesn’t “fear” free agency, the issue might prove to be a great issue for both the professional and the team.