The Dallas Cowboys have never been big spenders in free agency, and that's been the case again this year.
While they've signed Bryan Anger, Javonte Williams, Robert Jones, Solomon Thomas, and Payton Turner, they have all been low-cost deals.
That's always been Dallas' approach, but they didn't penny pitch last fall when they paid Dak Prescott. Last September, the Cowboys and Prescott agreed to a four-year, $240 million extension. That deal made him the highest-paid quarterback in the league, making $60 million annually.
One year later, he's still the highest-paid QB, but other guys have inked massive extensions. Buffalo's Josh Allen got a six-year extension that is worth $330 million. He got a record $250 million guaranteed, but annually, he's going to make $55 million a year, which is tied for second in the NFL.
When speaking about his new extension with reporters via Zoom call, Allen was asked why he didn't break Prescott's record, and he said, "I know it's weird to say, but what's $5M more gonna do for my life right now that I can't already do? …I live a really good life. Got a house, got a car. We're good. I was like, if it has any impact on the cap, let's figure out a way to not do that."
Bills QB Josh Allen shows why he's 1 of 1. Listen to this answer about his contract extension.
"It's weird to say this, but what's $5 (million) more gonna do for my life that I can't already do right now? ... I live a pretty good life. Got a house, got a car. We're good." pic.twitter.com/3WocZxN85N
— Nick Veronica (@NickVeronica) March 12, 2025
Josh Allen Didn’t Want to Be Highest-Paid QB in the NFL
Allen saying this after coming off an MVP-winning season shows the kind of player and person he is. He could have easily become the highest-paid QB in the league but instead, he wants to give his team flexibility to build a stout roster around him.
You can't tell a player what type of deal to take. Prescott was looking to cash in, and he did exactly that. While he earned his payday, the contract he signed limits what Dallas can do. Per Spotrac, Prescott has a $76 million cap hit in 2026 and $70 million in 2027.
On March 5, Prescott already had to restructure his deal, creating $36.6 million in cap space.
With a monster extension for Micah Parsons looming, the Cowboys were looking for more wiggle room before free agency opened up.
Again, Prescott cashed in on his monster deal, but at the same time, it handicaps the kind of players Dallas can bring around him.
Meanwhile, in Buffalo, they added Michael Hoecht, Joshua Palmer, Joey Bosa, Larry Ogunjobi, and Darrick Forrest this offseason.
Being the highest paid at his position wasn't on the mind of Allen when negotiating his deal but certainly was for Prescott in 2024.
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