Dak Prescott’s contract and future with the Dallas Cowboys has become one of the biggest stories in the NFL as training camp approaches. Whether Prescott deserves to be the highest-paid player in league history is up for debate, but he is an elite QB and deserves to be compensated accordingly.
Whether he stays with the Cowboys or another team, Prescott will receive at least $60 million annually, and that price could rise to $65 million if he hits free agency, with multiple teams expected to bid for him.
Prescott has all the qualities you want in a franchise quarterback. What he lacks in natural athleticism and arm talent he makes up for in accuracy and a high football IQ. He’s also a great leader and knows how to handle the media.
Playing means a lot to a quarterback, and while Prescott has been relatively healthy for most of his career, he has had some unfortunate injuries over the past few years.
Prescott took the NFL by storm as a rookie in 2016. He led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record while throwing for 3,667 yards, 24 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Prescott was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, finished sixth in MVP voting and was selected to the Pro Bowl.
Prescott started all 16 games as a freshman and was injury-free until his senior year when he landed awkwardly on his shoulder against the Los Angeles Rams in December 2019. Prescott never missed a game with an injury, missing just one game in 2021 with a strained right calf muscle.
Dak Prescott’s devastating ankle injury in 2020
Prescott started every game his first four seasons before suffering a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle against the New York Giants in October 2020. He missed the rest of the season and the Cowboys faltered en route to a 6-10 finish in coach Mike McCarthy’s first year. That disappointing season led to the selection of Micah Parsons in the 2021 draft.
It’s been a long road to recovery for Prescott, who underwent surgery the night he was injured to repair the dislocation and clean the wound to prevent infection. The quarterback had another procedure two months later to alleviate long-term concerns with his ankle, but returned under center for the first day of training camp in 2021.
Dak Prescott breaks thumb in 2022
Prescott suffered another untimely injury in the first game of the 2022 season when his hand was hit by Buccaneers pass rusher Shaq Barrett. Prescott initially thought he had a sprained finger, but further testing revealed a fractured thumb. He underwent surgery and is expected to recover in six to eight weeks.
The three-time Pro Bowler avoided injured reserve and returned in Week 7 after missing five games. He led the Cowboys to an 8-3 record over their final 11 games.
Prescott has been fortunate to not have any recurrences from his ankle or thumb injuries, but he surprised Cowboys fans last week when he was spotted wearing a walking boot on his surgically repaired right ankle. Prescott said he felt pain in his ankle after two hard workouts and was wearing the boot as a precaution to go on vacation.
While Prescott’s training camp ankle injury doesn’t appear to limit him, Cowboys fans will be on heightened alert going forward.
