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Odds Favor Dak Prescott Not Being a Cowboy Week 1 of 2021 Season

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NFL Football

Updated Mar 9, 2021 · 4:21 PM PST

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 file photo, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott drops back to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Arlington, Texas. Applying franchise and even transition tags to players can have major ramifications on a team's present and future. That was never more of a consideration than this year, with the salary cap decreasing by, for now, $18 million. That's the first time the cap has gone down, which is due to lost revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
  • History, and a new prop wager, are both suggesting that Dak Prescott won’t be with the Dallas Cowboys to start the 2021 NFL season
  • Logic suggests that Prescott isn’t going anywhere. Which thought process should bettors follow?
  • Analysis of the odds and predictions on the likely outcome follow below

Dak Prescott is a Dallas Cowboy. For now. But for how much longer will Prescott be part of America’s team?

America is being told that this timeline will be not much longer.

A new prop wager is making Prescott playing for another NFL team in Week 1 of the 2021 season the odds-on -200 favorite.

Last week, the Cowboys and Prescott failed to come to an agreement on a new contract. That means he’ll play this season on the franchise tag. Prescott will earn $31.4 million on a one-year deal.

Odds Dak Prescott on Dallas Cowboys Roster for Week 1 of 2021 NFL Season

Outcome Odds
No -200
Yes +150

Odds taken July 20th

Every previous QB to be franchised left for a new team following the season.

Future of the Franchise

This is just the third time in NFL history that a team’s starting QB was entering the season wearing the franchise tag. So far, the two previous teams are batting .000 when it comes to getting that QB’s name on a new deal.

In 2005, the San Diego Chargers franchised Drew Brees. The next year, Brees signed a a six-year, $60-million deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Washington ended up opting to franchise Kirk Cousins twice – in 2016 and 2017. He signed a three-year, $84-million pact with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018.

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There’s a lesson to be taken from each of these previous instances that apply to Prescott’s situation. The Brees scenario was similar in that he was just completing his fifth NFL season. Prescott is entering his fifth season. Brees was 27 at the time. Prescott will be 27 next season.

The difference is that Brees suffered a torn labrum in the last game of the 2005 season and his health was uncertain.

In the case of Cousins, he signed for the kind of numbers that Prescott is seeking from the Cowboys.

Dak Digs Dallas

When last Wednesday’s deadline passed without the two sides agreeing on a new contract, Prescott was quick to express his unconditional love for Dallas.

“I’m a Cowboy and couldn’t be happier,” Prescott told USA Today. “I look forward to working alongside coach McCarthy, the staff, and my teammates to be the best team we can be in pursuit to our goal of a Super Bowl.”

Prescott is coming off his best statistical season, passing for 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns. However, the Cowboys went 8-8, missing the playoffs.

New coach McCarthy is an offensive guru.  With weapons such as running back Ezekiel Elliott and receivers Amari Cooper and rookie CeeDee Lamb at his disposal, Prescott could be in line for another monster season.

Prescott Will Get Paid

The Indianapolis Colts are listed as the +600 chalk to be Prescott’s team next season if he does leave Dallas. Oddly enough, Indy just signed Philip Rivers, the guy who replaced Brees with the Chargers in 2006.

Wherever he ends up, there’s no doubt that Prescott will be cashing hefty checks. The NFL Network is reporting that the Cowboys are offering him a five-year contract worth between $33-35 million per year, with $110 million in guarantees.

Prescott would’ve earned $70 million over the first two years of this deal.

The hangup between Prescott and Dallas appears to be more about term than finances. He wants a four-year deal, one year less than the team,.

This seems like an issue the two sides can work out.

Pick: Yes (+150)

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