As the Dallas Cowboys face an underwhelming 2024 season, former head coach Jimmy Johnson has called out team owner Jerry Jones over the decision to extend quarterback Dak Prescott’s contract with the richest deal in NFL history.
Johnson’s Bold Critique
Earlier this year, the Cowboys signed Prescott to a four-year, $240 million extension, with $231 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid player in the league. However, Johnson, a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach with Dallas, isn’t convinced it was the right move.
“They’re so financially strapped with all of these contracts,” Johnson said, expressing his concerns about the team’s financial situation. “First of all, I would’ve never given Prescott a new contract. I would’ve let him play it out. He’s the highest-paid player in the league. He’s not the best player in the league. He wasn’t going to go anywhere.”
Johnson’s comments come after a tough stretch for the Cowboys. At 4-7, the team has been plagued by injuries and underperformance, with Prescott suffering a season-ending hamstring injury. Johnson questioned the timing of the extension, suggesting the Cowboys should have taken a wait-and-see approach.
“If you go to the Super Bowl with him, hey, wasn’t going to go anywhere. Pay him whatever,” Johnson added. “If he struggled in the playoffs, then you negotiate. If he got hurt, you save money.”
The Cowboys’ Financial Strain
Dallas is now feeling the financial consequences of Prescott’s record-breaking deal. With significant money tied up in his contract, the team is limited in its ability to make other roster improvements. Johnson warned that the Cowboys’ financial constraints might make it difficult for them to improve their roster moving forward.
A Dim Playoff Outlook
As if the financial situation wasn’t concerning enough, Johnson also offered a bleak assessment of the Cowboys’ playoff chances this season. Despite the return of some key players, including Prescott, Johnson believes it’s too late for the Cowboys to turn things around.
“I think they get better when their star players are back on the field,” Johnson said earlier in November. “But I think it’s too late for them to win enough games to be in the playoffs. I don’t see them making the playoffs.”
Johnson’s critical remarks reflect the growing frustration surrounding the Cowboys’ 2024 season. While the team has faced numerous challenges, including Prescott’s injury and inconsistent play, the pressure is mounting on Jones and the Cowboys’ front office to make critical decisions about the future.
As the Cowboys prepare for their Thanksgiving Day game against the New York Giants, all eyes will be on how the team responds to these mounting challenges. But with the financial strain of Prescott’s contract and a shrinking playoff window, it’s clear that change might be on the horizon for Dallas in the coming years.
