Dak Prescott’s contract history with the Dallas Cowboys just got a lot more interesting, thanks to new insight from his agent, Todd France of Athletes First. During an appearance on the “Athletes First Network” YouTube channel, France revealed a strategic masterstroke during Prescott’s contract negotiations that will impact the Cowboys’ future financial flexibility in a big way.
After playing on the franchise tag in 2020 and suffering a brutal ankle injury in Week 5, Prescott returned in 2021 and was tagged a second time before ultimately agreeing to a four-year, $160 million extension. That move, at the time, was seen as a bit of a gamble—but it turns out it was a calculated one.
France and his team deliberately waited until the Cowboys placed the tag on Prescott a second time before finalizing the extension—just an hour later. Why? Because once a player is tagged twice, a third tag triggers a 144% increase in salary. That essentially makes it financially impossible for Dallas to ever tag him again.
So even though Prescott later signed an even bigger four-year, $240 million extension in 2023, the Cowboys are now cornered. If they don’t reach a new agreement with their quarterback down the line, they can’t fall back on a tag without obliterating their cap space. It’s a leverage play that gives Prescott significant control over his financial future.
Joe Pompliano, a prominent business and sports analyst, summed it up perfectly: France locked the Cowboys into a scenario where the only realistic path forward is through future long-term deals. For Prescott, that means more guaranteed money, more negotiating power, and no fear of being strung along with tags again.
From the Cowboys’ perspective, this was a case of poor timing. If they had struck a deal earlier, they could have avoided the long-term consequences of that second franchise tag. Instead, they blinked first—and it cost them.
Heading into the 2025 season, Prescott is looking to bounce back from an injury-riddled and underwhelming 2024 campaign. He went 3-5 in eight starts, threw for just 11 touchdowns against eight interceptions, and averaged 247.3 yards per game. A hamstring injury cut his season short, and now, he enters the year with plenty to prove—especially given the monster $240 million deal he signed last fall.
There’s no question about his talent or toughness. The real question is whether Prescott can get back to MVP form—and if he does, his next deal may be even bigger. One thing’s for sure: thanks to Todd France, the Cowboys won’t be able to get away with any shortcuts the next time around.
