Speaking on SiriusXM NFL radio earlier this week, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman said he does not think the team should use the franchise tag on current Big D QB Dak Prescott.
Prescott, 26, is eligible to be tagged until noon on Monday.
“I’d hate to think what might happen or how Dak might feel if they end up going the franchise-tag route,” Aikman told on Wednesday. “I just don’t think that’s going to be in the best interest of all parties, and ultimately I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the Cowboys.”
If the Cowboys do use the exclusive version of the franchise tag on Prescott, he’d be guaranteed a salary of roughly $31 million in 2020. That’s not exactly chump change, and it is $29 million more than he made in 2019, but it’s less annual money than the record-breaking deal the team already offered Prescott — which was reportedly worth $33 million per year on average with $105 million guaranteed at signing.
If the Cowboys do end up tagging Prescott, he’ll have until the July 15 deadline for working out a long-term deal to accept it or get the team to offer him a contract more to his liking.
In addition to Prescott, the Cowboys also have to work out deals with wide receiver Amari Cooper, cornerback Byron Jones and defensive end Robert Quinn or risk losing them in free agency. Players who have already been tagged ahead of Monday’s deadline include Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon and Broncos safety Justin Simmons.
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