It’s been an eventful week for America’s Team, to say the very least. Between signing their franchise QB, Compensatory NFL Draft picks and the NFL Free Agency period quickly approaching, the Dallas Cowboys had a busy week.
Official Details on the New Dak Prescott Contract
The Dallas Cowboys held a press conference at The Star on Wednesday, as Dak Prescott addressed the media for the first time since getting a new contract. Keep in mind, this was the first time anyone heard from Dak since the contract battle started in late 2019, and since his season-ending ankle injury in October 2020.
Reports on Dak’s new contract were circulating quickly on Monday, but Wednesday’s press conference confirmed those reports.
Prescott signed a four-year contract worth $160 million, with $126 million guaranteed. The deal included a no-trade and no-tag clause.
“There was never a doubt in my mind that I would be a Cowboy for life,” Prescott said in regards to the two-year long negotiations over an agreement with the Cowboys front office and his agent Todd France.
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Jerry Jones also made it clear that he never doubted the deal would be done:
“I knew that Dak wanted to be here, and no place else, and I think Dak knew how good he fit here,” said Jones. He went on to imply that COVID was one reason that the agreement came as delayed as it did.
“I feel great about our future. I don’t mind telling you the main reason I feel great is the guy sitting right next door to me,” said Jones as he pointed to Prescott.
Dak Prescott Injury Update
When the press conference started, it was quickly noticed that Prescott was not in a boot or walking with any crutches.
Dak was asked about the latest update on his ankle injury on Wednesday, after staying silent on the topic since a brief Instagram update that he posted days after the injury occurred.
“I’ll be more than healthy and better than I was before,” said Prescott.
When asked about an estimate to a full recovery, Dak didn’t give an exact timeline but said he is getting close and he “will be ready when it matters”.
The Dallas Cowboys Twitter account posted a video of Dak training at The Star on Thursday, the day after the press conference, giving fans a glimmer into how close he is to a full recovery.
2021 NFL Season COVID-19 Predictions from Jerry Jones
Reporters during the press conference asked Jerry Jones about the uncertain future of what the 2021-22 NFL season will look like in terms of COVID-19 precautions.
Jerry Jones confirmed that he expects the Cowboys to return to Oxnard, California for Cowboys Training Camp this summer. The Cowboys did not travel to Oxnard last summer due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Jones, also, made it clear that he expects to have full capacity at AT&T Stadium this coming season. Keep in mind, full capacity at AT&T Stadium is 105,000 people.
“We are in a more safe time as we look to ’21 than we did in ’20. We didn’t know what to look for in ’20, maybe we don’t in 21, but as it looks like now we work in a safe way,” said Jones as he explained his thoughts on the 2020 NFL season.
Jones, also, made it clear he thinks the NFL was a success this season, in terms of COVID-safe precautions.
Cowboys Compensatory Picks in 2021 NFL Draft
Shortly after the press conference, the NFL announced the list of compensatory draft picks. On the list, the Cowboys received four selections, which was the most out of any other NFL team. We covered the Cowboys compensatory picks earlier in the week.
Contracts Restructured to Free Cowboys Cap Space
Last, but not least, we saw multiple contract restructures this week. These contracts included those from Zach Martin, Tyron Smith and La’el Collins. This created an estimated $17 million in Cowboys cap space.
[sc name=”nfl-fa-date” ]Cowboys Free Agents
The Cowboys front have a long couple of weeks ahead, as the free agency period is less than a week away. The Cowboys have a total of 17 unrestricted free agents and four restricted to be.
Here are some of the unrestricted free agents to keep an eye on:
- QB Andy Dalton
- C Joe Looney
- DE Aldon Smith
- S Xavier Woods
- LB Joe Thomas
- LB Sean Lee
- CB Chidobe Awuzie
Here are two of the restricted free agents to keep an eye on:
- WR Cedrick Wilson
- DT Antwaun Woods
An interesting series of tweets from Antwaun Woods on Friday has Cowboys Nation wondering what the future will hold for the three-year veteran.
