Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Non-Exclusive Franchise tag

Could the Rare Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag be Used on Dak Prescott? — ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys on the field during warm ups before the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Picture this if you will… Dak Prescott strutting his stuff to the song “The Power” by Snap! like Jim Carrey in the movie Bruce Almighty. I honestly can’t think of a more fitting image as it applies to contract negotiations between Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott as things currently stand.

The Dallas Cowboys are used to being in the drivers seat when negotiating long-term contracts, but the power dynamic has shifted in Dak Prescott’s favor in this particular situation. The Cowboys have no one to blame but themselves. They tried to play hardball with Prescott and his representatives last year and now there’s a possibility it could blow up in their face.

Don’t think for a second Dak Prescott doesn’t know his value to not only the Dallas Cowboys, but just about any other team around the league. He and his reps have seen firsthand the value of the QB position this year and if they had any doubts of Prescott’s market value they probably don’t any longer.

After seeing what the Los Angeles Rams gave up in a trade to acquire Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions, Dak Prescott’s value is higher than it has ever been at any point in his career. That’s saying something considering he’s coming off of a serious season-ending ankle injury.

If the Rams were willing to give up two future first-round picks, a third-round pick this year, and Jared Goeff to land Stafford, what would a team be willing to pay Dak Prescott on the open market? The simple answer is a lot. Probably $40 million+ a season and that’s terrible news for the Dallas Cowboys.

With Prescott holding just about all the power and not a lot of salary cap room to work with, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves between a rock and a hard place. Signing him long-term is arguably the best solution for both parties concerned, however, it’s not and shouldn’t be the only option on the table. The Cowboys need a Plan B in place if things start to turn ugly.

Enter the non-exclusive franchise tag.

You may not be aware of it, but there’s actually three different types of franchise tags…the exclusive, non-exclusive, and transition tag. In the Dallas Cowboys current situation with Dak Prescott only the exclusive and non-exclusive franchise tags makes sense.

On the “exclusive” franchise tag players cannot negotiate with other teams. The players team holds all of the negotiating rights.
On the “non-exclusive” franchise tag players can negotiate with other teams, but if the player signs an offer sheet with another team, the original team has the right to match the offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

To me, the exclusive franchise tag makes absolutely no sense for the Dallas Cowboys. That means Dak Prescott will once again be playing under a one-year deal for the second season in a row to the tune of $37.7 million. If that happens it’s highly unlikely Prescott would even consider any kind of future in Dallas beyond the 2021 season, leaving Dallas looking for a new QB in 2022.

That brings us to the non-exclusive franchise tag, the most logical and plausible solution for the Dallas Cowboys in my opinion. If the long-term negotiation contract talks hit a snag or turn ugly, the Cowboys shouldn’t hesitate using this franchise tag on Dak Prescott. It’s a gamble that runs a chance of losing him, but at least offers some form of compensation if that indeed ends up happening.

On the non-exclusive franchise tag Prescott and his reps would be free to gauge his market value with other teams around the league. If offered a contract from someone else the Dallas Cowboys would then know his value as well and could choose to match said offer or accept the two first-round picks instead.

I know it’s a gamble, however, the Cowboys inability to sign Dak to a long-term extension in the past indicates these two weren’t as close on working things out as we have been led to believe. At least letting someone else set his market value gives them an idea of his worth and the two potential first-round picks could give them the ammunition to find their next starting QB if worst comes to worst.

I don’t know about you, but if contract talks turn sour between the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott this offseason using the non-exclusive franchise tag makes too much sense not to happen. It’s either that or let him walk without receiving any kind of compensation this year. Which route would you choose?

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Brian Martin

Level C2/C3 quadriplegic. College graduate with a bachelors degree in sports and health sciences-concentration sports management. Sports enthusiast. Dallas Cowboys fanatic. Lover of life with a glass half-full point of view.

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44 Comments

VAM 5 years ago

Donald G Skipper,. You touched all the bases. Great summing up of this greedy, drama king DP. If Cowboys cave, we are in for another long stretch of mediocrity.
Charles W Ingram Jr 5 years ago

The question is not "can he lead us to a Super Bowl. but can he carry BOTH the offense and defense on his back to get there. This is still a team sport. It takes more than one guy, even more than 22 guys. Without a defense this team will not make a deep run even with Dak. Not his fault. I blame Jerry/Stephen for getting totally out foxed by their smartalec greed and questionable dealmaking.
Donald G. Skipper 5 years ago

Dak has proven that he is Tony Romo 2.0 A low draft pick scenario who became a slightly above average QB that everybody in the media likes and who wants elite $ but cannot earn the elite money by elevating his team to win playoff games or championships. Lots of stats, lots of wasted money on his 2019 & future contracts, very few playoff wins & no championships. Dak has won one playoff game in 4 full years with a top 5 OL and decent defenses. He has failed on 8 of his last 9 4th quarter comeback chances and the one win required a fluke onside kick to beat a bad team in 2020. The Cowboys were 8-8 in 2019. The losses to NO, NE, Chicago, Buffalo, Eagles & Jets were not the fault of the defense! Dak failed to lead 4th quarter win opportunities in all those games. The Cowboys were very close to a 0-5 start in 2020 with Dak at $31.4 mm and unable to resign their best CB and edge rusher of 2019 or sign top free agents to help the defense. DAK IS NOT AN ELITE CHAMPIONSHIP QB!!! He is a slightly above average NFL QB who has become a master at creating the illusion that he is elite by mesmerizing the fanboy media with his personality and by racking up empty stats against bad teams or against good teams in garbage time after the game is out of reach. Signing Dak to $40+MM per year will end any real hope of the Cowboys creating a team that can win a Super Bowl with a front office that could not win anything when they were paying Dak less than $2MM a year. It is way past time to accept that Dak is a good guy but not "The Guy" and move on to find the QB than can actually elevate the Cowboys to championships. Yes, it is not easy to find great QBs but overpaying average QBs is not the path to winning the Super Bowl. Fortunately. Lawrence, Fields, Wilson and Lance are all within reach in the 2021 draft & the cost to move up would be well worth the draft picks if the Cowboys can skillfully choose the best option. The savings on Dak & the picks for trading him would far more than offset the cost to move up and the chances of winning a championship would improve. If Dak is the great QB you claim him to be, the Cowboys should be able to get a great package from a contender for him. The non exclusive tag is unlikely to work because Dak does not have to negotiate with other teams or sign the franchise tag until just before the 2021 season after teams are likely to have their QBs set for 2021. The Cowboys best option is to work out a trade to a desperate contender that Dak is willing to approve and use the draft picks and money saved to build a defense and OL like Tampa around Fields, Wilson, Lance, Jones in the draft or signing one of the many other experienced QBs that are available at low rates or both. There is probably no team that will trade for Dak & pay him huge money until he proves his ankle is ok in many game situations. Any setback with the ankle would be a disaster for anyone who signs him. In truth, the Cowboys are probably the only team dumb enough to bet on Dak's ankle and him becoming and elite QB. Tampa won in part because they only paid their GOAT elite QB $25 million. How can the Cowboys compete with that by paying their average QB $40+MM and counting on their inept front office to create miracles of talent around him??? Dak must go because he is not an elite caliber championship QB and his likely championship net present value to the Cowboys is much less than a $200+MM contract that would cripple their cap situation. If Dak will not play ball on a sign and trade, the Cowboys may be in a scenario where they have to let Dak go for nothing but a comp pick to avoid a much bigger disaster of signing him long term with a permanent ankle issue that could appear at any moment or a Goff, Wentz, Garrapalo or Roethlisberger, etc. overpay scenario. Nothing for Dak is not ideal but it may be the best option and they are in a good position acquire a QB with elite potential in this draft and let Dak & his agent go chase a foolish team that will risk a catastrophe by betting on his ankle and far over paying him.
James A. Howerton II 5 years ago

What ticks me off is that it never had to come to this. Stephen Jones needs to admit he's gone the extreme other way from his dad. I think Stephen wants to prove to Jerry that HE can bring the Lombardi Trophy home but he's clueless handling personnel negotiations because he's f***ing cheap!!! If we lose Dak and don't get high Draft Picks AND they DON'T trade him OUT OF THE NFC, I will be pissed!!!
Robert 5 years ago

Trade Dak for the best offer. Then draft a quarterback in this quarterback heavy draft- Lawrence, Fields, Wilson, Lance, Jones. Bottom line it’s now or never. Dak has not proven to be worth what he demands having only 2 playoff wins in over 4 years of being the quarterback. With the saved money from drafting a quarterback to team friendly rookie contract could get best available free agent cornerback and maybe even another good offensive lineman and then build through the draft, hopefully drafting wisely, which Cowboys have not done in recent years. Cowboys need more than a quarterback. Time for Jerry Jones to move. Not fair to Dak or the fans to continue this purgatory situation.
Franklin Paul Orick 5 years ago

I believe he is worth more than 2-1st round draft picks, The Rams gave the lions Several 1st rd draft picks and Goff for Stafford...
Gary b 5 years ago

Dan- that was me that misspoke and asked the question why didn't Jerry just give Dak the extra year. I usually do my research but I got that one backwards.
James Morrisett 5 years ago

Trade him for 2 first and a 2nd rounder
dansuong 5 years ago

Let signs Dak Prescott and trade him during his value still good. He want the big money like a top QB. The cowboys had stuck up to negotiation with him.... He just averages the Quarter Back, not excellent to bring Cowboy win superball. He is sucker...get rid of it.
Dan 5 years ago

To all the fans saying Jerrah should have given Dak the extra year he wanted, you have it backwards. Dak wanted the shorter contract so he could cash in again sooner. Please do your research and be informed before commenting.
Gary b 5 years ago

Not to beat a dead horse but the chances of Dak being tagged and traded are not good. Can’t imagine a team signing him to a huge contract AND giving us two 1st rd picks. So we’re left with tagging him then losing him without compensation and not having a QB or signing him long term. Am I missing something here? I understand how people feel and ur feelings and points are legit, but it comes down to realities and what will likely happen, not what we think SHOULD happen.
ThrowuptheX88 5 years ago

I agree with your points Gary b too , Jerry unleashed pandora's box when he continually put off Dak's contract to the last minute and paid the these other guys like Zeke , Cooper , D-Law , and J Smith , but as i sighted before , he's making 50 mill off just endorsements , and that's the power of being the QB of the Dallas Cowboys , look at Romo , if he played for anyone else , he probably wouldn't have gotten his shot to be the main NFL commentator alongside Jim Nantz for CBS , so i mean with every other player i get why you get what you can on first contract but with Dak , I mean you can't take 8 mill off ? Say what you want but Dak is being Greedy
ThrowuptheX88 5 years ago

Agreed VAM ,it's like debating with a Tom Brady fan , they'll give ALL the praise to Brady when they WIN but when they LOSE , IT'S EVERYONE ELSE'S FAULT , @CowboysFan and the rest of you ppl who think the same way ,idc what you guys think , you guys are about as reliable as asking a "Doctor" on Twitter about Covid , BLINDED by your BIAS so much that you can't look at this with a clear picture , you want to blame it all on the D but the minute i mention the Rams game at the start of this last season , you ppl shut up and don't say anything , cuz you know that Dak and the O lost that game , if you look at the game summary , Rams only scored 1 TD FOR THE ENTIRE 2ND HALF , WHAT ELSE DO EXPECT FROM THE COWBOYS D IN THAT GAME ? WHERE AS DAK THIS TOP 5 QB YOU PPL KEEP TELLING ME ABOUT WITH ALL THESE WEAPONS ONLY SCORED A FIELD GOAL FOR THE ENTIRE 2ND HALF , WHO'S FAULT IS THAT ? IF YOU SAID THE D THEN YOU ARE THE ONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW FOOTBALL GOOD GOD YOU PPL ARE LIKE ARGUING WITH A ROCK
VAM 5 years ago

Cowboy fan, yeah that's the "go to" excuse for DP lovers in that game, his shoulder was messed up? Tell me, what are the excuses for the other SEVEN losses??? QBs get the credit for WINS, so they should also take hit for loss. Give me a QB that throws for 200 yds and WINS, you can keep the the flashy, fantasy guy that throws for 350, including a lot of garbage yds, and losses. Our great RB Emmitt Smith had a SEPARATED SHOULDER and ran for 168 yards vs Giants in 1994. Stop making excuses for DP and save the name calling.
Big Cowboy 5 years ago

I said all last year that if the Cowboys had put the non-exclusive tag on Dak, he and his agent might have been shocked at the lack of offers or low-ball offers that came in to secure his services, at which point we would have been able to sign him to a reasonable deal. BTW Cowboys Fan, make your point here without name calling.
Cowboys fan 5 years ago

To say it again to you people that don't know football like you think you do.... The win/loss record is a TEAM record, not a QB stat!! And Dak didn't play good against the eagles for the division cause he had a injured shoulder, on his throwing arm at that!! He shouldn't have even played that game cause his shoulder was that messed up!! But he tried anyways!! You people need to pay more attention and learn a little more about the game of football before you come on these sites making these stupid comments cause it really makes you look stupid!!
VAM 5 years ago

Big Cowboy, it's good to see someone is paying attention. DP DID reneged on that "IMMINENT" deal, and JJ was pissed, and with good reason. BTW, after beating those 3 slug teams, DP went 5-8. Scores 9 points, 0 TDs, in game for the division vs eagles.
PPC50 5 years ago

This tyoe of tag was the first I thought of last year, but in trying to negotiate a longer deal, the Cowboys didin't want to "hurt" Dak's feelings and it bit them. This year they need to do this unless they decide to sign and trade. In any business, you need to know the true market value, if they want them they can match, if they let him walk get great picks. I have a feeling that after really taking a hard look at his stats/W-L record, teams will not be offering his perceived value.
Justin 5 years ago

One QB who I like as a possible day 2 sleeper is Kellen Mond. Dude balled out at the Senior Bowl and has throughout his college career. He has similar measureables to Dak. Could he be a potential dark horse QB for us that no one had mentioned. Let Dak walk and get those picks and draft him to groom behind Dalton.
Big Cowboy 5 years ago

We could do worse. Still, that’s not much of a sales pitch for a guy that wants 40 or 45 million is it?!?!?! LOL!!