Stephen Jones: Cowboys' 'Goal' is to Get Dak Prescott Contract Done Before Week 1

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones says the team is aiming to finalize an extension for quarterback Dak Prescott before the start of the 2024 regular season.

"I mean, that's our goal," Jones said Wednesday, per Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein.

That gives the Cowboys about three and a half weeks to work out a new deal for Prescott before Sept. 8, when the team hits the road for a Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns.

Prescott has been participating in Cowboys training camp despite his expiring contract, although head coach Mike McCarthy said the veteran quarterback is not likely to play during the preseason.

Prescott is currently set to play the 2024 season at a cap hit of $55.1 million before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2025.

The news that the Cowboys might consider extending an offer to Prescott before the start of the season is a change from team leadership's messaging earlier this offseason. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in April that Prescott's deal was "locked and loaded for this year."

But Stephen Jones told reporters at the end of July that the Cowboys had made updated contracts both to Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is currently staying away from practice amid a holdout for a new deal.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported as of Aug. 9 that "it doesn't appear the Cowboys and Prescott are close on an extension."

That is in part because of the structure of Prescott's contract, Howe noted. Even if he walks in free agency, the quarterback is set to cost the Cowboys $40 million against the cap in 2025, per Spotrac. That dead money could get pushed into a future season if Prescott's contract is restructured.

Last season Prescott earned the third Pro Bowl nod of his career by racking up a career-high 4,516 passing yards while leading the NFL with 410 completions and 36 touchdowns.

Although the quarterback missed practice time last week due to ankle soreness and was seen earlier this offseason in a walking boot, Prescott is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2024 season.

The quarterback has previously indicated that the ongoing contract negotiations are not a distraction for him, but finalizing a new deal for Prescott before the season— as well as making sure his favorite target returns with an extension for Lamb— will be key to the Cowboys' hopes of contending for a Super Bowl, as well as keeping Prescott from testing free agency next spring.