Jimmy Johnson, the former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, recently criticized Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for offering quarterback Dak Prescott a record-breaking contract extension. Prescott’s deal, which includes a four-year, $240 million contract with $231 million guaranteed, was the richest in NFL history at the time. However, Johnson believes it was a mistake to commit such a massive amount to Prescott, especially given the quarterback’s performance and the Cowboys’ current struggles.
Johnson questioned Prescott’s worthiness for the massive extension, stating that while Prescott is a highly paid player, he is not the best in the league. According to Johnson, there was no need to rush into a new contract for Prescott, as he was unlikely to leave the Cowboys anytime soon. Johnson suggested that the team should have let Prescott play out the final year of his existing deal instead of locking him into a long-term contract.
The decision to extend Prescott has put the Cowboys in a difficult financial position, with the team struggling to manage its salary cap. Johnson pointed out that the Cowboys are now financially strained due to multiple large contracts, including Prescott’s. He believes that this situation leaves the team in a precarious spot, making it challenging to address other needs on the roster.
Johnson also mentioned that if Prescott had led the team to a Super Bowl or had shown consistent success in the playoffs, the massive contract would have been more justifiable. However, since Prescott has struggled in the postseason and now faces injury, Johnson feels that the contract was a risky and costly move for the Cowboys.
In addition to his criticism of Prescott’s contract, Johnson expressed skepticism about the Cowboys’ chances of making the playoffs in the 2024 season. Despite some hope that the return of key players could help the team improve, Johnson is not optimistic. He believes the Cowboys have already fallen too far behind and will not be able to win enough games to secure a playoff spot.
Earlier in November, Johnson had already voiced concerns about the Cowboys’ playoff hopes, stating that while the team might improve with key players returning to the field, it would likely be too late to make a meaningful push for the postseason. He suggested that the Cowboys had already dug themselves too deep a hole in the standings.
In conclusion, Johnson’s comments highlight his frustration with the Cowboys’ management, particularly the decision to extend Prescott at such a high cost. With the team struggling on the field and facing financial constraints, Johnson is critical of the direction the Cowboys have taken under Jerry Jones’
leadership.