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As the NFL offseason ramps up, so do the hot takes, this time aimed directly at Dak Prescott. With the Cowboys quarterback returning to first-team reps after injury, retired QB and sports analyst Chris Simms has reignited a fiery debate: Is Prescott worth his $240 million deal? The answer from Simms and fellow commentator Colin Cowherd is a resounding "no."
"He's not one of the 10 best quarterbacks in football," Simms said bluntly. "And yet he's the highest-paid. That's egregiously bad." Cowherd echoed the sentiment, suggesting Prescott is a "B quarterback paid like an A," and warning that Dallas may have boxed itself in financially with little postseason success to show for it.
A legacy under pressure
Prescott, now entering his tenth season, is no longer the young hope in Dallas, he's the veteran leader. With Zack Martin retiring, he becomes the team's longest-tenured star, affectionately dubbed "Uncle Dak" by his teammates. Yet that experience hasn't bought him immunity from criticism.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance, racking up over 31,000 career yards and putting together solid performances in 2024 before his injury, Prescott's inability to carry the Cowboys deep into the playoffs continues to haunt him. Critics argue that his contract has outpaced his accomplishments, especially given his 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in just 8 games last season.
As OTAs unfold, Prescott insists he's ready to go. "Pretty much can do it all. Feel good," he told reporters. But feeling good may not be enough when every dollar of his contract is under the microscope.
A cautionary tale in the making?
The concerns go beyond Prescott. Cowherd compared his deal to other high-profile quarterback contracts, including Tua Tagovailoa's and Brock Purdy's. While acknowledging Purdy's extension isn't as "egregious," Cowherd emphasized how dangerously top-heavy teams like the 49ers and Cowboys have become, dependent on a few stars, and one injury away from collapse.
Prescott's story is increasingly being framed not as a triumph of consistency, but as a cautionary tale of inflated expectations.
As Dallas eyes another playoff push, the question looms larger than ever: can their highest-paid player deliver when it counts most?