Proposed Blockbuster Trade Sends Cowboys an $18 Million Playmaking QB

Proposed Blockbuster Trade Sends Cowboys an $18 Million Playmaking QB

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys seem to be moving toward a new long-term contract.

Prescott has limited leeway in his future despite his issues during the Cowboys’ Wild Card loss.

But according to K.D. Drummond of USA Today, there are instances where both sides are

incapable of coming to a long-term contract extension deal. In this case,

Prescott might be open to forgoing his no-trade clause in order to land a big new contract.

Drummond claims that the Chicago Bears may be willing to trade quarterback Prescott for Justin Fields.

Chicago will need to contribute more, starting with the No. 9 pick, according to the NFL analyst, in order

to make the deal work.

“Grabbing Fields has no risk. Drummond said in a January 22, 2024 post titled, “The ‘What If…?’ Mock Draft:

Cowboys, Bears swap Dak Prescott for Justin Fields” that his modest 2023 contract ($2.3 million

between basic

and roster bonus) is the best-case scenario in absorbing Prescott’s $62 million cap hit from a trade.

“They may keep the picks and wait if a QB falls to them, trade up for a top QB,

or stay put and get guys at other positions and stick with the two young players.

Dallas would now have both Fields and Lance under contract for two seasons,

and neither fifth-year option could be exercised until after the draft,

where Dallas now holds the No. 9 and No. 24 picks. The  amount of options that gives Dallas is

innumerable.”

This is where things become complex, because the Bears might potentially move on from Fields.

However, Chicago is expected to spend one of their two top-10 picks (including the No. 1 pick) on a

younger and more cheaper quarterback.

Fields received a 74.6 grade from Pro Football Focus for his performance this season.

Prescott received a great 90.8 grade from PFF in 2023.

Cowboys fans will quickly point out that this does not provide a whole picture.

The issue with Prescott and Mike McCarthy has been their lack of postseason success,

not how they perform throughout the regular season. Fields is far less well-known in the NFL playoffs.

This hypothetical reality may be amusing to explore, but all signs point to Prescott receiving a new

contract in the coming months. Prescott is entering the final season of a four-year, $160 million

contract. If no new agreement is negotiated, Prescott will face a sizable $59.4 million cap charge in 2024,

making it nearly impossible for Dallas to field a competitive roster. The Bears quarterback is more of a

threat on the ground, with 657 running yards and four touchdowns in 13 starts this season.