Contracts for 2 proficient — however polarizing — passers loom over the offseason’s remaining weeks.
Because the NFL offseason enters its remaining stretch, the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins are a pair of groups trying to rebound from disappointing early playoff exits. Each now discover themselves within the unenviable place of getting their beginning quarterbacks — Dak Prescott and Tua Tagovailoa, respectively — on expiring contracts.
The conditions are vastly totally different. The Cowboys have been hamstrung this offseason by Prescott’s $55 million cap hit within the remaining season of a $160 million mega-deal agreed to in 2021. A brand new pact with their quarterback would have allowed Dallas to be extra energetic in free company, however no such transfer was made forward of time.
Given the exploding quarterback market, the Dolphins have little incentive to extend Tagovailoa’s earnings from the $23.2 million fifth-year possibility of his rookie contract. The Alabama product rightfully has his sights set on a increase, and he has reportedly already declined a minimum of one provide from Miami.
Assuming each groups hope to take care of the relationships, why have extensions not but occurred? Raised expectations from a staff that did pay their quarterback could also be an element.
Competent quarterback play isn’t getting any cheaper
In early Might, the Detroit Lions signed Jared Goff — solely three years faraway from what appeared like profession purgatory after the Los Angeles Rams moved on from him — to a four-year, $252 million extension. Goff’s $53 million annual worth trails solely Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals amongst quarterbacks.
Clearly, the remainder of the league (together with Dallas and Miami) hoped to see a decrease contract quantity for Goff. His $170 million in assured cash can also be problematic for staff budgets as a consequence of required escrow funds to cowl future wage.
It’s potential — probably possible — that Goff’s contract won’t age properly. Whereas his cap hits for the following two seasons are manageable, the primary total number of the 2016 NFL Draft will rely for nearly $70 million of Detroit’s 2026 wage cap for his age-32 season. If the Lions don’t win a Tremendous Bowl within the subsequent two seasons, Goff carries albatross potential for future roster constructing.
The Cowboys at the moment are within the remaining season of what was then a market worth contract for Prescott when signed in 2021. Whereas they’ve made the playoffs every season of the pact, their mixed playoff document is simply 1-3. A Prescott extension runs the chance of merely persevering with their present pattern into the quarterback’s mid-thirties.
Tagovailoa underwhelmed in his solely profession playoff recreation, dropping on the highway to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in traditionally frigid circumstances. The Dolphins can even want to contemplate his damage historical past in contract negotiations: Tagovailoa missed 4 common season video games and Miami’s Wild Card spherical playoff loss in 2022 whereas struggling a number of concussions.
Sadly for Dallas and Miami, their monetary concerns are usually not restricted simply to the quarterback place.
Different mouths to feed
The Cowboys face uncertainty about Prescott’s future whereas broad receiver CeeDee Lamb has stayed away from the staff this offseason. Lamb is ready to play on a fifth-year possibility price just below $18 million, however is looking for an extension that may pay him in step with the highest receivers within the league as the worth solely goes up with time. Linebacker Micah Parsons can also be now extension-eligible after finishing his third season and must be the NFL’s highest-paid defensive participant on his subsequent deal.
Tagovailoa broke by way of in 2023, main the league in passing yards whereas throwing to the NFL’s quickest (and now most costly) group of broad receivers. The Dolphins are already navigating the second half of Tyreek Hill’s backloaded contract — which now has solely the third-highest annual worth for the place. On Thursday, Miami reportedly agreed to an extension with $76 million in assured earnings for fourth-year deep risk Jaylen Waddle.
Detroit additionally gave a brand new deal to broad receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, worsening Dallas’ plight particularly. Extensions for the wideout, Goff, and proper deal with Penei Sewell signify greater than $332 million in assured cash from the Lions — throwing water on the Cowboys’ present narrative that they merely can not pay everybody (or anybody primarily based on their lack of latest strikes).
Ought to they fail to achieve a brand new take care of their present starters, Dallas and Miami can be observers within the Minnesota Vikings this season. Fairly than play within the predictably costly marketplace for injured starter Kirk Cousins, Minnesota allowed him to check in free company with the Atlanta Falcons (who could not really plan for him to be their long-term starter). The Vikings’ gamble that rookie J.J. McCarthy can discover fast success paired with celebrity receiver Justin Jefferson (yet one more prime goal looking for a brand new contract) can be attention-grabbing to observe.
Prediction
Each the Cowboys and Vikings know that it’s not lifelike to amass an improve from Prescott or Tagovailoa.
Anticipate Tagovailoa and the Dolphins to come back to an settlement this summer time. Miami is just too invested within the present roster to entertain a quarterback change — and is below heavy stress to win a Tremendous Bowl earlier than the now-30-year-old Hill’s pace begins to say no. Having already skilled a serious damage scenario, Tagovailoa will finally be receptive to the life-long safety that comes with a second contract.
Prescott and the Cowboys are far more tough to foretell. The staff is radiating critical “Final Dance” vibes heading into 2024. Head coach Mike McCarthy can also be coming into his final season below contract, whereas working again Ezekiel Elliott will return for yet another stint with the staff after spending 2023 with the New England Patriots. The Cowboys might see wholesale adjustments throughout the staff subsequent spring, particularly if the season ends in one other playoff disappointment.
Having already performed a season below the franchise tag in 2020, Prescott is a perpetual wildcard in negotiations. Already with greater than $161 million in profession earnings, there is no such thing as a proof he’ll accept lower than the contract that he desires — or that the Cowboys intend to pay him as such.
