The Colts are a realistic destination in free agency for Cowboys QB Dak Prescott.
There was never really a shred of evidence that suggested the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott would reach an agreement on a long-term contract extension before Wednesday’s deadline. A reported last ditch effort from both parties was to no avail, and the two-time Pro Bowler is now set to pocket $31.4 million in 2020 playing under the franchise tag.
If you ask us, that’s a remarkable silver lining for Prescott. For the Cowboys, however, it just amplifies the mistake they made in not paying the 26-year-old star last year. Instead, the franchise opted to dole out monster contracts to running back Ezekiel Elliott and wide receiver Amari Cooper, which is the complete opposite order of positions that should be prioritized as far as extensions are concerned.
Prescott claims he’s happy in Dallas, but his lack of contract security will undoubtedly strain his relationship with the front office (it’s already soured his brother), and that could open the door for the Indianapolis Colts to swoop in and sign him next offseason.
The Cowboys and Dak Prescott did not reach a long-term agreement and he will play the 2020 season on the franchise tag.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 15, 2020
Prescott is now set to become a free agent at the end of the year barring Dallas placing the tag on him again. pic.twitter.com/tJg4MUXoMc
Should the Cowboys double down on their stubbornness and let Prescott hit the open market, Indianapolis should be viewed as a realistic destination. With gunslingers Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett both set to become free agents, you’d have to think that the Colts will be in the market for a QB for the second consecutive offseason.
What’s equally important is the fact Indy is expected to have over $45 million come off the books in quarterback salary alone — Rivers carries a $25 million cap hit this year, while Brissett accounts for a $21.375 gut punch — which rank first and third on the team, respectively.
Want another neat nugget? At 6/1, the Colts are the early betting favorites to sign the former Mississippi State star in 2021.
#Colts are the early betting favorites to sign Dak Prescott in 2021, per @betonline_ag:
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) July 16, 2020
Indy = 6/1
Bears = 7/1
Vikings = 8/1 pic.twitter.com/KyATQD39l8
Make no mistake about it, the Colts will have more than enough financial flexibility to meet Prescott’s demands. Even with Rivers’ and Brissett’s contracts on the books, they currently rank sixth in the NFL with a grand total of $23.387 million in cap space.
A lot of things have to fall in Indianapolis’ favor, and there’s still the future of 2020 fourth-round round pick Jacob Eason to consider, but you have to think that the Colts will be in the thick of the Prescott sweepstakes next offseason.