Dak wants to be the quarterback who wins in Dallas

FRISCO, Texas — Time is running out before the Dallas Cowboys and franchise quarterback Dak Prescott can agree to a contract extension before the start of the season, as Prescott made his “it says a lot whether it is or not” comment just last week regarding Sunday's loose deadline.

Although he said Thursday he “can't say I have the same feelings as last week” about getting a deal done before Sunday, he also said it could be a relief if it was done, with all outside distractions out of the way before the season.

“Maybe from a team perspective, yeah,” Prescott said. “You know, I've always talked about how present I can be, but I understand not everyone is able to do that. That could definitely be an advantage. But ultimately, it's about moving parts of a contract. I know both sides are working on that.”

It's no news or secret that both sides are working together, but is there a sense of urgency to get the work done before the season starts?

“I would say they're working,” he said. “I don't know if that's necessarily the schedule. I can't give Todd and Stephen a schedule if we don't get this or that done, but I know they're working.”

Speaking of work, Prescott said he will “keep working” if the Cowboys and his representative can't come to an agreement before the season begins. For him, there is still a big goal that applies to this season and any possible season after 2024.

“That's what motivates me to be here, honestly, to be the quarterback that gets it done,” Prescott said. “That wins it. I don't think it would be the same to win it anywhere else as it would be to win it here. That's the reason I want to be here, to be honest.”

In this crucial season for the future direction of the franchise, there is a sense of camaraderie in the locker room as Prescott isn't the only one entering a contract year. Whether it's veterans like Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence and Brandin Cooks or supporting cast members like Osa Odighizuwa and Jourdan Lewis, a large handful of players can put themselves in Prescott's shoes when it comes to an expiring contract.

“When we all personally look back at the last year of our contract, it's going to bring out a little bit of that,” he said. “But when you look left or right and you see there are so many people in this situation, I think it's a little easier to band together, put our arms around each other's necks and say it's up to us to change this, to do it differently, to be here next year.”

Even though Prescott and the Cowboys are just days away from starting a new year, the outside focus is on next year and beyond. But for him and those around him, Mike McCarthy's “Rooted” message might be just the thing as they head into Sunday.

“I thought it was incredible,” Prescott said. “A guy that talks about being where he is, that goes to his roots. That goes to my mother. That goes to my brothers. That's why I love this game. This game is ingrained in me.”