Getty Images
The names look like an unnamed list, never were and never existed: Quincy Carter, Anthony Wright, Ryan Leaf, Clint Stoerner, Chad Hutchinson, Drew Henson, Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe. These are the defenders who started for the Cowboys between Troy Aikman’s retirement and when the team got lucky in Tony Romo.
The Cowboys were lucky in Dak Prescott as Romo’s heir, moving from one franchise quarterback to another in 2016 after Romo was injured in a preseason game.
“They won’t get very far without a franchise quarterback,” Aikman told David Moore’s Dallas Morning News. “They have this in Dak. ”
Prescott started 69 out of 80 possible games for the Cowboys in his career, losing the final 11 games in 2020 with an open fracture and dislocated right ankle. The Cowboys, 2-3 with Prescott, went 4-7 without him.
Prescott, however, is slated to become a free agent next month after playing last season under the one-year franchise.
“I think the price has gone up,” said Aikman. “I think Dak’s advantage has increased after this year. ”
The Cowboys and Prescott representation negotiated almost two years without reaching an agreement.
If Cowboys are unable to strike a long-term deal with their quarterback by March 9, they must use the $ 37.7 million franchise mark on it. That would give Cowboys four months to get a long-term deal with Prescott or risk their possible exit in 2022.
Kirk Cousins is the only defender in NFL history to play under the franchise brand for consecutive seasons. He then left Washington as a free agent in 2018.
“I would be really surprised if [Prescott] is playing under the franchise brand again this year, ” said Aikman. “My guess is that if he is, it will be the last time that we will see Dak Prescott [in Dallas].
“I just can’t imagine that he will feel great about opening a deal for the Cowboys if he plays two years under the franchise brand.”
Aikman, however, expresses optimism that the Cowboys will get a deal with Prescott that will keep him in Dallas for the long term. The FOX analyst used the word “hopeful”, the same word that most Cowboys fans would use.