The Dallas Cowboys turned a corner last season, and a large part of that was the arrival and play of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. The former Mississippi State Bulldog played like an elite quarterback, but, because he was a fourth-round pick, wasn't paid like one.
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Although Prescott didn't get a new contract this offseason, the NFL did deliver performance-based pay for all its players that met the contractual requirements and Prescott led offensive players in this system.
Source: NFL has paid out its Performance-Based Pay for 2016, led by Falcons CB Brian Poole at $371,873.11. Dak Prescott 2nd at $353,544.57.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 15, 2017
Like the Seattle Seahawks did with Russell Wilson, the Cowboys would be wise to avoid giving Prescott a huge deal for as long as they can. Even though Prescott exceeded expectations in Year 1 for the Cowboys and now finds himself as the franchise quarterback of the future, these performance-based bonuses of sorts will have to do until he gets a new contract.
If Prescott builds off his rookie season, he will certainly get a very nice contract in the not-too-distant future.
Prescott was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2016-17 season.
