Stephen Jones dismisses the notion that Dak Prescott’s cap hit has impacted the team’s decisions in free agency

Dak Prescott is not the anchor holding back the Dallas Cowboys, this free agency, at least that is what the team’s executive vice president Stephen Jones is claiming. The quarterback’s massive $59.45 million salary cap figure as he heads into the final year of his contract is believed to have been a reason for the team’s inaction in early free agency.

While their divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, wasted no time in making key acquisitions such as Saquon Barkley and Devin White, the Cowboys failed to make any big moves. They added Eric Kendricks at linebacker and negotiated the contracts of snapper Trent Sieg and cornerback Jourdan Lewis. The team was expected to extend Dak Prescott and negotiate a contract with him but that is unlikely to happen this offseason.

Dak's been willing to work with us. We've had good discussions about him and his contract. He's all-in in working with us, and we've had personal discussions with Dak as well. Other than that, that's all we'll say about that, our negotiations with him. We want to keep that private. Won't get into timelines, but certainly a priority of ours.

Stephen Jones said on Thursday addressing media

Stephen Jones did not provide a timeline on Dak Prescott’s extension negotiations

Conventionally, the Dallas Cowboys have relied more on drafting and developing their players rather than spending big money during free agency. This strategy has not yielded the results they have desired for the last three decades, but the team is confident that it is just a matter of time before it pays off.

With respect to the negotiations with Dak Prescott, Jones stated that it is currently being worked on and when the time is right, the information will be made public.

The Dallas Cowboys have all of their stars due for a contract this year or in the subsequent year. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Zack Martin, Micah Parsons, and Brandin Cooks are all fast approaching free agency. Retaining their current stars will be a challenge considering the team cannot place the franchise tag on Prescott and push offering him an extension.

Another positional void for the Cowboys remains at running back. With Tony Pollard gone, the team did not make an effort to pursue any of the options available on the market. It seems the Cowboys are going to fill this vacancy through the NFL Draft. Stephen Jones is not worried about the team’s back situation.

This is an organization that has been built on great backs...we're big believers in backs. They bring a lot to the table. Unfortunately, we're at a point where we have to make some decisions in terms of where we allocate dollars.

Stephen Jones added

Jones reassured fans that the team will sort this issue out in a better way in the near future.

In case you missed it:

• “I’m sick of him!” Stephen A. Smith tells Dak Prescott’s brother to ‘shut the hell up’ after he questioned Cowboys’ lack of free agency movement
• “My a**!” ‘Frustrated’ Skip Bayless calls out Jerry Jones for ‘all in’ comment courtesy of Cowboys’ no-show in free agency

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