The Seattle Seahawks have made Russell Wilson the highest paid player in the NFL. With Dak Prescott’s contract expiring after this season, will the Dallas Cowboys’ offer match (or even surpass) Wilson’s deal?

According to ESPN, Wilson and the Seahawks have agreed to a four year, $140 million contract extension. The deal also includes $107 million in guarantees and a $65 million signing bonus. This is a deal that has reset the quarterback market. It’s also something the Dallas Cowboys will have to keep in mind when negotiating with Prescott next year.

Prescott likely won’t receive as much guaranteed money as Wilson, but his annual salary won’t be far off. Prescott will likely fall in the $30 million range. While many will argue Prescott isn’t deserving of this kind of money because he hasn’t accomplished as much as Wilson or Aaron Rodgers (who are both making north of $30 million per year), he’s definitely accomplished more than some others who are making comparable money.

Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Derek Carr are all making in between $25-$28 million per year. None of them have won a playoff game. Whether Cowboys fans like it or not, Prescott’s deal will come at or around this range.

But the main thing to remember here is that the market determines the value of each quarterback. Not whether or not he has done more than other quarterbacks making X amount of money. Keeping that in mind, it will be beneficial for the Cowboys to pay Prescott as soon as possible before the contracts of Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, and most notably, Patrick Mahomes, start being negotiated. Imagine what Mahomes is going to get?

Prescott’s Age and the Dallas Cowboys Future Cap Situation

Another thing to keep an eye out for when it comes to Prescott’s contract is his age. He’s only 25 years old so he has some options. He could elect to take a longer-term deal (6 or 7 years) and keep his annual salary a little lower since it will be spread out over more years to give the Cowboys some room to sign other players. Or, he could elect to cash-out up front and take a shorter deal (4 or 5 years) so he can get paid again when he’s 30, which is Wilson’s age now.

Something the Cowboys should be aware of is the fact that Prescott isn’t the only player they need to get signed long term. Amari Cooper, Ezekiel Elliott, Jaylon Smith, Byron Jones, and La’el Collins could all be free agents next year too. However, Elliott has a team-option for a fifth year that will certainly be exercised. So he likely won’t hit the open market until 2021.

The team will likely prioritize Prescott with quarterback being the most important position in football and the fact that the other contracts will have to be worked around his. With the Cowboys already giving Demarcus Lawrence five years, $105 million, and Prescott likely coming in around five years, $150 million, they will have to get creative when dealing with Cooper, Elliott, Smith, Jones, and Collins.

Whether you agree with it or not, Prescott will get paid huge money. But will the Cowboys be able to keep everyone?