It’s just a couple of months away before the NFL plans to begin the 2020 season. Hopes are that the coronavirus has a much more limited effect on sports in the fall than it did in the spring.
Right now has been a time that many teams have signed big extension deals. The biggest contract news of the offseason has been the large deal signed by the Kansas City Chiefs’ young quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. However, there are plenty of other topics regarding contract extensions across the league.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys
This offseason has been a chance for the Dallas Cowboys to give Dak Prescott a big extension. But they were unable to make an agreement by the deadline on Wednesday. He will play the 2020 season on the franchise tag.
11 other NFL players will play on the franchise tag in 2020, including Cincinnati’s A.J. Green, Denver’s Justin Simmons, Jacksonville’s Yannick Ngakoue, New England’s Joe Thuney, Washington’s Brandon Scherff, L.A. Chargers’ Hunter Henry, Pittsburgh’s Bud Dupree, New York Giants’ Leonard Williams, Minnesota’s Anthony Harris, Baltimore’s Matthew Judon, and Tampa Bay’s Shaquil Barrett.
Prescott averaged 306.4 passing YPG, 30 passing TDs, 11 INTs, and a 99.7 passer rating last season. The Cowboys also averaged more yards per game than any other team in the NFL.
Prescott’s agent, Todd France, opened these negotiations in the spring of 2019. He still hasn’t reached a deal because of the large number that Prescott wants.
The Cowboys have signed DeMarcus Lawrence ($105 million), Amari Cooper ($100 million), Ezekiel Elliott ($90 million), Jaylon Smith ($64 million) and La’el Collins ($50 million) to extensions in the last 16 months. Prescott has failed to become part of that list.
The Cowboys have to wonder how much Prescott is actually worth. Many believe he is good, but that he isn’t worth Mahomes money. Regardless, Dak still wants it.
Derrick Henry and the Titans
The Tennessee Titans had a lot of success last season. This was in no small part due to their running game led by Derrick Henry.
He has reached an agreement with the team for a 4-year deal worth $50 million. $25.5 million of that is guaranteed.
This deal makes Henry the fifth highest-paid running back in the league behind Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey, the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott, the Jets’ Le’ Veon Bell, and the Texans’ David Johnson. Henry has had consecutive seasons of over 1,000 yards rushing.
He has been expected to do big things after coming out of the running back powerhouse that is the University of Alabama. He won the NFL rushing title last season with 1,540 yards.
“I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, Derrick is an important part of what we do. Derrick is an important part of our football team,” Titans General Manager Jon Robinson said at the NFL scouting combine in March.
It looks like the team will also be sticking with their quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The blueprint they made work last year is likely to be the one they use moving forward.
