Cowboys: This Tony Romo, Dak Prescott stat will make your jaw drop

After agreeing to his four-year contract, Dak Prescott is actually making more in guarantees than what Tony Romo has earned in his entire playing career.

Dallas Cowboys fans were bracing for yet another year where the team would enter lengthy contract negotiations with quarterback Dak Prescott. But, the Cowboys went against the dramatic grain on Monday night, as they agreed to terms with Prescott on a four-year, $160 million contract. In this new deal, Prescott is guaranteed $126 million. If you looked at the guaranteed money and though that was a lot of money, there is a stat that backs it up.

Former Cowboys vice president of player personnel Gil Brandt tweeted out that Prescott is set to make more money in guarantees over the next four years than the $125 million Tony Romo earned throughout his 14-year playing career! To make matters even crazier, Troy Aikman earned $55 million in 12 years with the Cowboys!

Cowboys: Dak Prescott earns record-breaking contract

It is important to note that the salary cap has increased significantly from when Romo played to when Prescott agreed to terms on his four-year contract on Monday. Hence the glaring difference in earnings.

Romo’s first three contracts with the Cowboys totaled $5.42 million, before the team rewarded him with a six-year, $67.5 million deal in 2008. In 2013, the Cowboys signed Romo to a six-year, $108 million pact, but Romo only got to play three full seasons of his last deal before he suffered a back injury that paved the way for Prescott taking the reins under center in 2016. After the season, Romo announced his retirement from the NFL.

While Prescott lapped Romo in total money just in guarantees, the retired quarterback is making up for it as CBS’s premier color commentator for the NFL. Just last year, CBS signed Romo to a 10-year contract that pays him $17 million annually.

In his new deal, Prescott will earn a $66 million signing bonus and a total of $75 million in the very first year, both NFL historic marks. Additionally, the contract includes a no-trade clause and a no franchise-or-transition tag clause. Even after suffering a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle, Prescott’s value skyrocketed once the Cowboys struggled without him last season.

Sure, Prescott already made more money in five years due to the increase in cap space, but don’t feel too bad for Romo. He is being paid handsomely as one of the best commentators in the NFL today.