The Seattle Seahawks are being labeled as a possible landing spot for Dak Prescott amid his current contract standoff with the Dallas Cowboys. CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin lists the Seahawks just behind the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams as franchises that make the most sense for Prescott.
“Seattle chose new backup Sam Howell for his potential, knowing current No. 1 Geno Smith may not stay around long,” Benjamin wrote in a March 26, 2024 story titled, “Dak Prescott may play out contract year: What it means, plus five early 2025 landing spots for Cowboys QB.” “GM John Schneider also may not be able to pick a top prospect in the draft at No. 16 overall.
“But with uncertainty about Smith and Howell beyond 2024, it's likely Seattle will look for a quarterback next season. If new coach Mike Macdonald improves the defense, a partnership with Prescott could be appealing, especially if players like DK Metcalf are still performing well.”
Cowboys Rumors: Dak Prescott Could Hit NFL Free Agency in 2025
This appears to clears the path for Dak Prescott to test free agency in 2025. https://t.co/HAA34sKKjF
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2024
Prescott is entering the last season of a four-year, $160 million contract. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Cowboys are willing to let Prescott play the final season without an extension.
This could make Prescott a free agent in 2025 when he could join the Seahawks or another team of his choice. Prescott has clauses in his contract that prevent him from being traded or tagged by the Cowboys.
“The Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott have an agreement about his contract situation, with no offers from Dallas even though he's in a contract year,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted on March 26. Owner Jerry Jones said, ‘We are where we are, locked and loaded for this year.’
“No indication a deal is coming. This appears to clear the path for Dak Prescott to test free agency in 2025.”
Seahawks Rumors: Would Seattle Be Willing to Pay Dak Prescott an Average Annual Salary of $50 Million?
The Cowboys still have time to make a new deal with Prescott before he becomes a free agent next season. Let’s consider this scenario for Seattle and assume Prescott becomes a free agent.
The Seahawks need to decide if Prescott is not only better than Geno Smith. It's also whether the improvement is worth the increase in the price for Prescott compared to Smith’s current contract.
Prescott got a 90.8 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2023. In comparison, Smith received an 82.9 grade from PFF for his play last season.
Spotrac estimates Prescott’s market value to be a four-year, $203 million deal. This would give Prescott an average annual salary of $50.8 million, but some estimates have this number closer to $60 million per year.
Smith is on a more team-friendly three-year, $75 million contract that goes through the 2025 season. Prescott threw for 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2023, the second-highest numbers of his career.
The quarterback also gained 242 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns by running. Prescott has only a 2-5 record in the NFL playoffs during his career.
