Cowboys Rumors: Dak Prescott Won't Attend Offseason Program Without Contract

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott reportedly won't take part in the team's virtual offseason program unless he receives a contract extension.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Tuesday that Prescott, who received the Cowboys' franchise tag in March, wouldn't have shown up for OTAs before they were postponed indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the same will hold true for the home-based preparations for the 2020 NFL season.

The 26-year-old Mississippi State product hinted he'd skip the offseason work if the franchise tag was used during a promotional appearance in January.

"We'll get to that when we get to that," Prescott told reporters. "I look forward to talking to my agents and when that [tag] comes to play, the direction that we'll go. Until that's a reality, I won't worry about it. But I do feel like some of this should get done. I'm a little disappointed that it hasn't, but that's part of it."

Prescott and the Cowboys have until July 15 to work out a multiyear extension. Otherwise, he can only play under a one-year deal for 2020. The franchise tag comes with an estimated base salary of $28.7 million, according to Spotrac.

His lack of participation while the contract situation plays out is amplified since Dallas underwent a coaching change in the offseason with former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy replacing Jason Garrett.

"Dak is in a business situation right now," McCarthy said in February. "I've gone through this as a head coach with a number of my players in the past. Like anything, it's just time to be patient and let the business people work out the business matters. That's really where we are as an organization and that's where Dak is, in a personal fight to get a contract done."

Prescott holds ample leverage if he's willing to hold out into the regular season. The Cowboys should be within a championship window thanks to their franchise QB, running back Ezekiel Elliott, wide receiver Amari Cooper and a defense that ranked ninth in yards allowed per game last season.

Their chances of title contention likely fall by the wayside without the two-time Pro Bowl selection, who ranked fourth in ESPN's Total QBR in 2019. Cooper Rush and Clayton Thorson, two highly unproven options, are the other quarterbacks on the roster.

Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Joe Flacco are the most notable free-agent QBs available should the Cowboys seek some veteran stability at the position until the Prescott contract situation is settled.