The Dallas Cowboys finalized a six-year, $240 million contract extension with quarterback Dak Prescott on Wednesday, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history. The deal includes $180 million guaranteed, surpassing the previous record set by other quarterbacks in recent years.
"Dallas is home, and I've always wanted to be here," Prescott said at a press conference at AT&T Stadium. "This contract represents the trust Jerry Jones and the organization have in me, and I intend to honor that trust by bringing championships to this city."
The extension ends a prolonged negotiation that occasionally became contentious, with Prescott's representation seeking compensation that would reflect his status as one of the league's top quarterbacks. The deal was completed hours before a deadline that would have triggered a trade.
"Dak is the leader of this football team, and we are committed to building our offense around him for years to come," said owner Jerry Jones. "This contract reflects both his value to our organization and our confidence in his future."
Prescott has led the Cowboys to three NFC East titles and ranks among the league leaders in passing yards and touchdowns over his career. He is coming off a season in which he threw for 4,450 yards and 32 touchdowns despite missing two games due to injury.
The extension has significant salary cap implications for the Cowboys, creating challenges in retaining other key players. The team has approximately $45 million in cap space but must also negotiate new contracts for cornerback Trevon Diggs and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.