Dak Prescott deal may suggest huge TV deal is coming for NFL

A source tells ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Dak Prescott contract is a sign that the NFL’s huge TV deal is coming.

On Monday evening, a flurry of NFL news dropped onto our laps. First and perhaps the biggest news of the night was that the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott agreed to terms on a massive four-year contract. Shortly afterwards, franchise tags were placed on New York Jets safety Marcus Maye and Washington Football Team offensive guard Brandon Scherff. But why did all of this news drop in less than two hours time?

A source told ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter that Prescott’s four-year, $160 million contract is a sign that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is “tipping off the extraordinary TV deal that is coming.”

Dak Prescott contract hinting at incoming TV deal?

Earlier on in the day, NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport reported that some general managers were bracing for the franchise tag deadline, set for March 9 at 4:00 p.m. ET, to be delayed until the league set an official salary cap number. ESPN’s Dan Graziano mentions that the NFL Players Association prefers to finalize the salary cap after the television deals are finalized.

What the NFL did let all 32 teams know is that the salary cap threshold will be no less than $180 million.

When you look at Prescott’s contract details, it should be quite obvious that more money is on the way. Prescott is set to earn $160 million over four seasons but will earn $66 million once he officially signs the contract. Additionally, Prescott will earn a record $75 million in 2021.

As for the franchise-tagged players, Maye is set to earn $10.5 million from the Jets, while Scherff will earn $18 million from Washington. It’s important to note that this is the second consecutive year where Washington placed the franchise tag on the offensive guard.

We should get official news regarding the final salary cap number on Tuesday, whether that’s through an official announcement or by a franchise tag deadline delay. But Schefter’s source believes that Prescott’s deal could mean massive television contracts are close to being finalized.