Dear Dak: Sign Cowboys Discount Contract, Advises Rivera

What is "Riverboat Ron's'' logic?

"Not only do they have to improve on the running game, but by taking a team-friendly deal) you’ve got to also help your offensive line,'' said Rivera on NFL Live as the former Washington Commanders head coach pivots into his new media job. "Go ahead and do something friendly for the team, Dak. Help them out. Because it will help you out even more so and give you a better chance to be as good as you can be."

Rivera's point: Dallas' roster rebuild - as All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith, Pro Bowl starting center Tyler Biadasz and Pro Bowl running back Tony Pollard are set to hit free agency - would be made much easier financially if Prescott would give the Cowboys a "hometown discount.''

It is our belief that Prescott, via agent Todd France, will want an extension that pays the QB around $60 million per year, thus making him the highest-paid player in NFL history. Indications are that the two sides have not communicated much, if at all, with the Cowboys expressing the view that their comfort level with France/Prescott is such that there is no urgency for a face-to-face meeting.

Meanwhile, Prescott has expressed optimism that a deal will get done - and his most recent remark could even be taken as a hint that he's open to what Rivera is suggesting.

Said Dak: "I'm definitely confident. It helps the team, and it's important for the numbers … It's a process, and both sides understand that. Everything is great. It’ll happen.”

We know that Dallas - now cap-compliant due to its "flipping of the switch'' on Zack Martin's deal - has options should Prescott be unbending in his demands. But it will be difficult to make improvements to the roster without a change in Dak's present deal, which in this final year presently calls for a whopping $59.4 million cap hit.

Said Rivera: "I'm not talking about bottom-basement bargain. I'm talking about making a good decision -- a good, sound decision that helps yourself, but also helps your team."