FRISCO, Texas — When the Dallas Cowboys took the field at The Star for the start of OTAs on Wednesday, several notable players were missing for various reasons.
WR CeeDee Lamb, DE/LB Micah Parsons, RG Zack Martin, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, DT Osa Odighizuwa, CB Trevon Diggs and DT Mazi Smith did not participate.
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As expected, Dak Prescott was one of the first on the field. Despite entering the final year of his contract, the Cowboys’ franchise quarterback has no plans of missing any offseason activities.
“Right now, it’s about being my best for this team in this moment, OTAs, helping these guys out,” Prescott said after the OTA session that was moved inside the Ford Center because of thunderstorms. “Just focused on that. I know my business will take care of itself. Been in it before, experienced and just controlling what I can right now.”
Prescott faced a similar situation during the 2020 season, playing under a one-year franchise tag and seeking a long-term deal. Despite a season-ending ankle injury in Week 5, Prescott secured his current four-year, $160 million contract the following March.
Patience during contract negotiations hasn’t been a problem for the 30-year-old.
“I don’t play for money,” he said. “Never have, never cared for it, to be honest with you. Would give it up just to play this game. I allow that to the business people to say what it’s worth, what they’re supposed to give a quarterback of my play, a person of my play, leader of my play, I guess you could say. For me, it’s about controlling what I can control and handle that part and the rest will take care of itself.”
Although Prescott says he doesn’t play for the dollars, he clearly wants to be paid accordingly for his production on the field. His last contract made him the second-highest-paid NFL quarterback behind Patrick Mahomes. He’s coming off a season where he finished second in MVP voting. His next contract will likely again put him at or near the top of the QB market, which is currently topped by Joe Burrow at $55 million per season.
“I don’t really take things personal,” Prescott said. “Maybe in my first deal, things were a little different than they are now. One, my age, (two), who I am, where I am in my life and I guess the fact that that first deal got done. The understanding that, at this point, I have a lot of decision in this, too. I have a lot of say so, too. It’s about understanding business is business and for me, it’s controlling what I can and that’s making sure I’m the best player that I can be right now.”
Dak Prescott when asked today about missing CeeDee Lamb during OTAs: “That’s my guy. Not many people out there more swaggier, cooler, better player, than that guy. So obviously you’re gonna miss him, miss having him around. But I’ve been in this situation, it’s business,… pic.twitter.com/YglNjtDBJA
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 22, 2024
Prescott looked sharp during Wednesday’s work, particularly his connection with veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks. With Lamb not participating because of his own contract situation, Cooks was the No. 1 option in the passing game drills.
Cooper Rush worked as the No. 2 quarterback. Trey Lance was No. 3, although he got some reps with the second group. Rush and Lance are expected to compete for the backup job during training camp and the preseason.
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With Lance being the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, there’s a natural wonder of what he can do in his first full season with the Cowboys. Some might even suggest his presence could cause issues in the QB room. But Prescott made it sound Wednesday like there has never been any problems.
“It’s about bringing others along,” he said, “and any time I do that, I make myself and find myself better. So, just in the sense of helping Trey and talking with Trey, I’m making myself better. I’m more focused on my feet. I’m not going to tell him to do something and then do something opposite and be hypocritical. It holds me more accountable and it’s fun. At the end of the day, I love watching somebody get better, watching somebody get excited, get the joy that I get when I improve from one day to the next.
“That’s the way this team is going to get better, and it’s not just me doing that, it’s other guys, receivers, bringing on young guys, the offensive linemen bringing those guys with them. That’s the culture we believe we have here.”
Prescott added that Lance has gotten “so much better” since Dallas traded a fourth-round pick for him in late August.
“He works his ass off,” Prescott said. “He’s pushing me. I don’t like to let other people get more reps than me. Trey’s the person I’ve got to watch because he’s trying to get up there in rep count. That’s a testament to him and how much he’s putting into this. He’s gotten better. He can play.”
Dak Prescott and Trey Lance pic.twitter.com/BCWMIaWqRk
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 22, 2024
It should come as no surprise that Prescott responded the way he did to multiple questions about Lance on Wednesday. Prescott could teach a masterclass in public relations. He almost always says the right thing. It’s unlikely there will be any QB competition issues during the season.
“As long he is getting better, I promise you I’m getting better,” Prescott said of Lance. “I encourage it. I hope he pushes me. I hope he makes people think. I know where I’ll be and I know who I am. I’m confident in the person and player that I am. I hope he does. I hope he pushes me.”
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Prescott has always welcomed extra motivation and pressure. That could be from another quarterback on the roster or other local professional sports franchises.
With the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars reaching the conference finals in their respective sports and the Texas Rangers winning the World Series in November, it magnifies that the Cowboys haven’t reached the conference championship game since the 1995 season.
“It’s not jealousy, but yeah, it fires you up,” Prescott said. “A hundred percent. Yeah, any competitor should, damn sure, in my position, leader of the team, understanding what winning means here, not getting it done, and then watching your brothers across the city, go and make things happen. I want it for them. Trust me, I want it, because it only raises the stakes and makes it tougher on me. And I’m for that. Go win it. Rangers did it. Other two go do it. Put more f—— pressure on us.”
(Photo of Dak Prescott: Perry Knotts / Getty Images)
