Dak Prescott Spotrac Contract Overview
Dak Prescott signed a four-year contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time of signing. The deal is worth up to $160 million, with $126 million guaranteed, according to Spotrac data. The contract includes a $66 million signing bonus and a base salary that escalates each year. Prescott's cap hit for the 2024 season is approximately $49.1 million, making him a significant cap figure for the Cowboys. The structure of the deal features large dead-cap penalties if the Cowboys were to release or trade him before 2026. The extension was finalized on March 15, 2021, and is fully guaranteed through the 2024 season. Spotrac tracks the full breakdown of base salary, bonuses, and cap figures for Prescott each season. The deal was widely reported by Forbes at the time of signing.
The contract is structured to front-load guaranteed money while managing the cap impact in later years. Prescott's 2025 base salary is set at $48 million, with a cap hit of roughly $49.9 million after accounting for bonuses. The dead-cap hit for 2025 if released is approximately $80 million, which decreases in subsequent years. Spotrac projects the Cowboys' cap space will be heavily impacted by Prescott's deal through 2026. The contract includes no trade kickers, which simplifies potential trade scenarios. Prescott's cap number is expected to rise slightly in 2026 as bonuses are fully counted against the cap. The deal is fully guaranteed for injury through the 2024 season, with the remaining years guaranteed for skill only. The full contract breakdown is available on the Spotrac Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott page.
Dallas Cowboys Salary Cap and Team Salary Breakdown
The Dallas Cowboys currently have a salary cap situation heavily influenced by Dak Prescott's contract. As of the latest available data, the Cowboys are projected to be over the $255.4 million salary cap in 2024 before applying for a cap adjustment. Prescott's $49.1 million cap hit is the single largest commitment on the Cowboys' books. The team has approximately $20 million in cap space without restructuring or releasing other players. Spotrac projects the Cowboys will need to make significant roster moves to fit Prescott's contract under the cap in future seasons. The team's cap space is further constrained by other high-salary players such as CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. The Cowboys have historically used signing bonuses and restructured contracts to manage cap space. The full team salary breakdown is tracked by Spotrac Dallas Cowboys Cap Page.
Cap management for the Cowboys involves balancing Prescott's deal with the need to retain other key contributors. The team has used voidable years and signing bonus adjustments to spread cap hits. Spotrac projects the Cowboys' cap space will improve slightly in 2025 as other contracts expire. The dead-cap implications of moving Prescott remain a major factor in any trade discussions. The Cowboys have not indicated plans to restructure or release Prescott, despite the cap pressure. The team's front office has emphasized building around Prescott as the franchise quarterback. The salary cap situation is expected to be a central topic in Cowboys offseason planning. Detailed cap projections are available on the Spotrac